Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is expected to remain in post for the 2026/27 season, but the Reds boss knows the areas where his side must improve before it kicks off
Ian Doyle Chief Liverpool FC Writer and Matt Addison Liverpool FC Reporter
06:00, 15 May 2026
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.(Image: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
It has felt for a little while now that Liverpool has been on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League. On Friday, a win over Aston Villa would mathematically seal it.
Preparations for next season, though, have long been underway. Jeremy Jacquet, the $83 million (£60 million) center-back from Rennes, will be arriving. More additions will be required in the market, alongside some sustained work on the training field.
And, while the discussion around Arne Slot and his future will no doubt continue, the Liverpool boss is expected to remain at the helm. The Dutchman said as much himself on Thursday morning.
READ MORE: Arne Slot sends defiant response as Liverpool boss asked if he will be in charge next seasonREAD MORE: Liverpool transfer news and rumors today LIVE: Salah return, Slot addresses future, Diomande admission
"We are further away than last season!" Slot later admitted, via the Liverpool ECHO, when he was asked about how far off his ideal style and plan the Reds currently are.
"By the way, are we further away from the playing style (of last season)? I don’t think so, but it has been less successful," he added.
"So if I can compare this game against Chelsea (last week) with last season against Chelsea, then last season Chelsea were by far the better team on the pitch.
"But no one remembers that because we won 2-1 and we won the league, so everything is great about last season.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot during a press conference.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot during a press conference.(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
"The reality is we were much more dominant against them (this time) than last season, and I’m not saying that we were great, absolutely not.
"What has been said a lot about us football-wise? What are the pundits saying we are not doing well enough?
"I think a lot has been said that we have been counter-attacked too much and that we were too open against counter-attacks. If you are too open against counter-attacks that can only come because you take a lot of risks — it is quite an offensive thought, isn’t it?
"So that says a lot about our intentions. If you are too open and you are attacked too much on the counter-attack that must be because you are attacking. You cannot be counter-attacked if you are in a low block."
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Adding more speed in the final third is vital and Liverpool may also need fresh legs in midfield. There are contract questions to be answered, too, regarding the likes of Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai.
"Can we do it better when we are in the final third? That is clear and obvious," Slot said. "And can we protect the counter-attacks better? That is also obvious.
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"I don’t think we are counter-attacked so many times but when it happens it usually leads to goals. Is it too easy to play through our press? That is 100 per cent true.
"For large parts of our season, it has not been as good as the season before. I know exactly what is needed to correct that."