Former Liverpool midfielder Bolo Zenden has been discussing the task facing Arne Slot, who looks set to be charge of the club next season
United and Liverpool at Old Trafford on May 03, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Arne Slot looks set to be handed the chance to get Liverpool back on track next season (Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
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Arne Slot has been told he faces a massive job to get Liverpool back on track and that he is paying the price for winning the Premier League in his first season in charge.
Slot led the Reds to glory in his debut campaign on Merseyside after taking over from Jurgen Klopp but the 2025-26 term has been far more challenging.
Liverpool will secure their place in the Champions League with victory at top-five rivals Aston Villa on Friday night but the current feeling among the fanbase was made clear when boos accompanied last Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea.
The performance and the result increased the scrutiny on Slot but, speaking at his press conference to preview the Villa Park clash, he stated that he believes he will remain as the Reds' head coach in 2026-27.
The Dutchman said: “I don’t think I am deciding that alone by myself, but I have every reason to believe I am the Liverpool manager next season. First of all, I am contracted to this club and second of all from all the talks we are having. That is my take on it.
"But if you don’t have the best season, especially if you compare with last season – if you compare it with other seasons you might have a different debate – but if you compare it with last season, this has definitely not been a great season, then it is also normal that criticism comes.
"We have all had our share, and with ‘all’ I mean the players have had their share, the manager has had their share and other people in the club have had their share. That is how things work nowadays if you don’t win the league.”
Liverpool owners FSG have stood by Slot during a season in which his side have lost 18 times in all competitions and, given at least two senior players, in Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, will leave at the end of the campaign, he will have to be backed in the transfer market to reshape the squad.
But former Reds midfielder Bolo Zenden believes his compatriot has a been tough task on his hands.
He said: "With the likes of Andy Robertson leaving at the end of the season, there are going to be some changes, and changes never make things easier. But I believe it was Sir Alex Ferguson who once said, ‘never change a winning team’, you have to keep everybody on their toes and keep changing to be able to keep performing at a certain level.
"Now, as I said, there will be some changes again, and I hope the players who have come in will use this year to gain experience and perform even better next year.
"I'm sure that the likes of Florian Wirtz, who was one of the best players in Germany, will be able to perform at that level for Liverpool as well.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Florian Wirtz of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Liverpool at Vitality Stadium on January 24, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Florian Wirtz has shown flashes of his potential in his debut season with Liverpool (Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
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"We've seen the problems due to injuries. For example, Dominik Szoboszlai has been playing at right-back, which is obviously not his best position. So there have been quite a few changes.
"The other question that will come up is that even the likes of Virgil van Dijk haven't played at their best this season and have been struggling with form or making mistakes. The link he had with Ibrahima Konate was strong last year, but this year it seems like both were more focused on their own form than capable of helping the player next to them.
"So, to be honest, it hasn't been easy for the whole squad. It's still a massive job for Arne Slot to get fixed in the summer. They need to finish in the top five and then get it sorted in the summer."
Liverpool will seal a top-five finish with a win over Villa. While that is important, for a number of reasons, one look at the table shows how far the defending champions have fallen off the pace this season.
Currently sitting 20 points behind table-topping Arsenal, Zenden believes winning the title last season could have actually gone against the Reds.
"Arne Slot and Liverpool are paying the price a bit for winning the league last year," the ex-Netherlands international told BOYLE Sports, who offer football odds.
"I mean, the expectations have been so high, and rightly so, because what they did last year was amazing. And to repeat that is obviously difficult.
"If you then look at the players that will be leaving in the summer, and the players that already left last summer, for example, the likes of Luis Diaz, who's doing amazing at Bayern, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, obviously going to Real Madrid, those are big, big losses for the team.
"Of course, they've spent quite some money in the summer to make sure that the gap is filled. But it's never easy to come in, and then if you look at the players that did come in, they haven't really performed like the players that were there the year before.
"They also need some time to adapt and get used to the Premier League, the pace, the things that are expected at a club like Liverpool. So all in all, it's not been easy.
"I think Slot has got the benefit of the doubt. If they do qualify for the Champions League, then obviously I think it's more than normal that he stays on and needs to get off to a good start next year. Otherwise, it will be difficult for him."