Arne Slot is under increasing pressure at Liverpool, following a chorus of boos in the draw with Chelsea, as he vows to win back the fans in the near future.
Luke Thrower Trends Writer and Michael Plant Liverpool FC Reporter
15:53, 09 May 2026Updated 16:13, 09 May 2026
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford
Arne Slot responded to boos from Liverpool fans after the draw with Chelsea(Image: (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images))
Liverpool boss Arne Slot believes he will win back the fanbase and promises his team will be better next season, following clear frustration from the Anfield crowd on Saturday.
The Reds were held to a 1-1 draw at the hands of Chelsea, who had been on a historically poor run of form before showing up in Merseyside.
Despite being the home side, Liverpool had little control in the game, but hung on for a point that could yet prove invaluable in the race for Champions League qualification.
It was clear that the performances on the pitch this season, mixed with decisions from Slot on the touchline, have taken their toll as fans booed in two separate occasions through the match.
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Slot remains defiant that he will turn things around, however, as he told the press after the match: "Yeah, I do [think I can win the fans back]. Not this season, by the way. This season they will have their opinion and it will not change but if we can have the summer that we are planning to have, I am 100 percent convinced we will be a different team next season than we are now.
"Different in terms of results, different in how things look. It’s not always that simple because sometimes you know what you have to do but it’s not always possible to get exactly what you want.
"For us, for me, it is really clear what we are lacking this season and we are trying. One of the things that we are lacking is players that are fit.
"The players that we have available now, like last week, showed in the second half they want to give everything and try to push but it was not enough last week or this week to find that goal which we maybe deserved if you look at where the game was played.
"For me, the game was mainly played in the second half in their half and that is what we’ve seen a lot of times this season. We’ve also seen a lot of times this season that being the dominant team does not lead to chance after chance after chance.”
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield
Arne Slot has vowed to win back the Liverpool fans(Image: (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images))
The comments from Slot imply that he has some assurance heading into the summer, despite all of the pressure that is currently mounting on him.
There were boos at full-time for the display, but there was frustration earlier in the match when Rio Ngumoha was taken off after just 66 minutes, despite impressing for the side.
On the two incidents, Slot added: "[Ngumoha is] Not injured, he had cramps before then and he went to the floor and I had contact with him. That’s why I took him off.
"It makes complete sense if you take a player off that is playing well, that assisted. People don’t expect you to take that player off, it wasn’t my intention to do.
"He is a good player but I don’t think he is at a level yet to play at 50 or 60 percent to make the difference. Maybe the fans have a different opinion and he would have been able to play at this level at 50 or 60 percent - I don’t know but not being fit enough to sprint.
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"If you don’t know that, you feel like: ‘“Why did he take him off?’ I knew the moment his number went up that would be the reaction but that is not the reason.
"After the game, I think it makes sense because this club should not be happy with a 1-1 against Chelsea. We always aim for a win and if we don’t win, we are disappointed, especially in a season when we have not won as much as people expect, it is building up frustration and that came out probably after half-time and the players and myself are in a similar situation."
With two games remaining, Liverpool could be handed Champions League qualification this weekend if results go the right way, but things remain firmly in their hands if not.