Arne Slot described the current campaign as the most difficult season of his career. Liverpool has had an inconsistent season so far and, after winning the championship last season, currently finds itself four points behind fifth-placed Chelsea and five points behind fourth-placed Manchester United in the Premier League. "It is fair to say that this is the most difficult season of my career, by a wide margin," said the Dutch coach at a press conference. "All my seasons so far have been positive; I don't think I've had two consecutive losses. For me, as well as for the players, this campaign is an exception. They are not used to losing much or having so many draws. I am not used to it either. It is always a big challenge when you lose a game to get the players to move on, and also to tell them that they were not as good as they think when they won," he explained, trying to find a solution to finish the 2025/26 season well. "So yes, this is a very challenging season. We have to filter the positive things, however strange that may seem, and see the improvements. As a coach, you always look for results, but it is important that the players and the team improve, because if that doesn't happen, we will have a bigger problem…" said the former Feyenoord coach, stating that his team needs to be perfect from now on to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. "We need to be close to perfection from now on due to our deficit. It is different if you are behind a team that is in 18th place, because those ahead of you will not win as many points, but when you have to catch up with those in fourth and fifth… Therefore, we need to keep winning a lot, which has not happened this season. We need to be close to perfection," Slot justified. "Currently, the feeling is that luck is lacking, but we need to focus on our performance. We have conceded many goals at the end, more than usual, but is that just bad luck or do we have blame? I can say that we have not had luck, that is true. I don't think the feeling in the team is that we have only lost two of the last 17 games. At this club, a draw is the same as a loss. That is not easy for the players because they know what the standards of Liverpool are, and we are performing below them, and that is frustrating. Especially because we feel we are close; in every game, we feel we can win, and then it doesn't happen. That is harder than when you feel the other team is better. The reality is that we are not performing according to the standards of Liverpool," he assured, stating that the goal is to finish in the top four; otherwise, it is not an "acceptable" season. Arne Slot emphasized that Liverpool's opponent tomorrow, Sunderland, is having an excellent season, evidenced by the fact that they have not lost at home, despite having already faced Arsenal and Manchester City at their stadium. "There are many teams having an excellent season. Arsenal and Aston Villa are impressive, Brentford as well, as is Sunderland. It is definitely an achievement to perform so well in the Premier League as they have. That is a great compliment to their players, but also to their coach. Don't forget that they came to the Premier League after winning the playoff," he concluded.
Arne Slot Liverpool remains central to this story.
Arne Slot Liverpool remains central to this story.
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