Liverpool still faces the possibility of missing out on Champions League qualification after losing to Aston Villa, with Arne Slot facing more questions about his future after the game
23:15, 15 May 2026
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Arne Slot, head coach of Liverpool, looks dejected after the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Liverpool at Villa Park on May 15, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Arne Slot faced more questions over his future after Liverpool's defeat to Aston Villa(Image: Getty Images)
Arne Slot knocked back more questions over his future after Liverpool’s defeat to Aston Villa, which leaves the Reds’ Champions League hopes hanging in the balance.
Liverpool went into its penultimate game of the campaign at Villa Park knowing that victory would secure a top-five finish in the Premier League, and with it a place at Europe’s top table once again.
Instead, the Reds fell to their 12th league loss of the season as they suffered a deserved 4-2 defeat, despite a double from Virgil van Dijk. The result means a nervy final day could be in store for Slot and his players.
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Bournemouth and Brighton could still overtake Liverpool, with both sides yet to play this weekend. A win for either over the next few days would mean the Reds go into their final fixture against Brentford at Anfield still needing a result to qualify for the Champions League.
Liverpool’s latest failure will almost certainly see questions over Slot’s future as head coach grow. The Dutchman insisted during the week that he is still confident he will remain in charge next season, but he was in no mood to discuss his future again on Friday.
"It's not about me, it's about us being disappointed with the result,” Slot told the BBC’s Match of the Day.
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool reacts towards Federico Chiesa of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Liverpool at Villa Park on May 15, 2026 in Birmingham, England
Virgil van Dijk's double couldn't prevent Liverpool from falling to another defeat at Aston Villa(Image: Getty Images)
“I spoke yesterday on it and that's enough. Our focus is on the Brentford game and making sure we earn the support of the fans by starting the game aggressive and well.
“The culmination of the fan support and a good performance will lead us to what we want to achieve and that is qualifying for the Champions League."
Defeat at Villa was Liverpool’s ninth away from home this season, with only Brentford, Fulham, Burnley and Wolves having lost more on the road.
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Asked why his side’s form away from home has been so poor, Slot responded: "In general teams struggle more away from home but for a top team like us it's far too many losses and dropped points.
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“That hugely has to do with the way we concede is far too easy in general. We have chances but we've not been as clinical in fishing them this season as we were last season.
“It doesn't help that [Alexander] Isak has hardly played for us or that Hugo [Ekitike] has been unavailable. It is what it is. Next week, Brentford is where our focus is."