Champions League secured - what's next for Slot and Liverpool?

• Published1 hour ago

The sun shone and the tears flowed on an emotional day at Anfield as Liverpool said goodbye to two of their greats in Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson.

With Champions League qualification never really in doubt, the focus throughout the draw against Brentford was on the pair, who went off in the second half and were given a guard of honour.

Nine years on, their chapter at Liverpool is over. As for Arne Slot, the next chapter may well define his own Liverpool future.

In his first interview as Liverpool head coach in June 2024, Slot was asked about the "few similarities", external between his style of play and that of his predecessor Jurgen Klopp.

Slot spoke about how the Reds hierarchy did not want the exact same style but were looking for a similar approach, which was was one of the reasons why sporting director Richard Hughes opted to appoint him.

"We were all inspired by [Pep] Guardiola and Klopp and I think at a big club, which I worked in at Feyenoord as well, it is probably the only style you can play - to have the ball a lot, to have a lot of energy... there are comparisons between the club I left behind and the club I am going to work for now," Slot said at the time.

"Both fans love to see a team that wants to do everything to win a game and if things are tough they try to do everything to turn the game around."

In a stunning debut season, Slot's Liverpool romped to the Premier League title, losing just two games before the trophy was sealed in April 2025.

In their first 34 league games, Liverpool averaged 2.4 points per game. The style was certainly not 'heavy metal', but they were measured in possession and experts in game management - winning 21 of the 23 games when they scored first.

By contrast, Liverpool have lost 12 league matches this season and 19 across all competitions in what has been a feeble title defence.

They may have secured Champions League qualification for next season, but fan discontent over the course of the campaign has been clear and it is a worrying direction of travel under the Dutchman. Across their 38 league fixtures, Liverpool averaged 1.6 points per game to finish with 60 – the joint-lowest total for any English side to qualify for the Champions League via their league position.

"I mentioned it many times, this has been the most challenging year in my career," Virgil van Dijk told Sky Sports. "It's tough to take, and tough to go through that as a team but we are Liverpool and we come out of it stronger. That's the main focus now."

Slot insisted earlier this month that he has "every reason to believe" he will be the Liverpool boss next season, with his current deal expiring next summer. Liverpool are also closing in on appointing Slot's former assistant Etienne Reijnen to their coaching staff - a move that would further underline their commitment to Slot.

There is of course credit in the bank and Liverpool are not traditionally a sacking club - but there is no disguising the fact that Slot's relationship with the fanbase appears increasingly fragile.

On a number of occasions this season, Liverpool have been booed off at Anfield. Salah's statement last week calling for a change in the style of play only added fuel to the fire – Slot did his best to downplay the situation but it certainly did not look great for him and the club. Sunday's display was again mediocre.

"In my opinion, it should not always be judged on the amount of trophies you win, it should also be judged on the fact of how you let your team play," Slot said in January.

He will know that is an area in which his side must improve. Right now, there is none of the energy he mentioned in his first interview but at least Slot is aware, admitting he hasn't liked a lot of what Liverpool have played this season.

And he insists that his side must find a way to evolve and a way to compete while also delivering a brand of football that Anfield can get behind.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool's average possession in the Premier League is second only to Manchester City over the season - but their football has been stale and without risk.

Against Chelsea earlier this month, supporters were heading for the exits well before full-time even though it was a Saturday lunchtime fixture.

Fundamentally, Liverpool fans want to see a team that does everything to try to win a game - as Slot alluded to in his first interview - and far too often this season, it has not seemed that way.

Slot often points to teams setting up in low blocks against his side and there are mitigating factors with the amount of injuries Liverpool have had and the emotional challenges they have had this season after the passing of Diogo Jota.

"If you are asking me for one word to describe the season I would say injury," said Slot.

Come August, with the players at his disposal, Slot must get fans excited to watch Liverpool again and turn Anfield back into a place opposition fear.

"For this club, we put it back where it belonged. This is our message to the players in the dressing room," Salah told Sky Sports.

"Look, the club now is fighting for everything. The fans will not accept less than that. They don't care that much about the result, as long as you sweat and you give your blood here, they will love you forever. This is my message."

That alone is the bare minimum.

'It will be another little transition this summer'

Slot has already revealed there will be a "little transition" this summer, but nothing as "drastic" as last season when Liverpool spent £450m.

With Salah leaving, getting a stand-out wide player is an absolute priority and the potential options include RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande, PSG's Bradley Barcola or even Jarrod Bowen from relegated West Ham.

Seventeen-year-old Rio Ngumoha is rated highly and will feature more next season while it is imperative for Slot to get the best out of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, the two most expensive Premier League signings of all time.

They have only been on the pitch together for 618 minutes this season.

Defensively, Liverpool have been cut open with ease - conceding the most goals they have ever done in a 38-game Premier League campaign - and there is no doubt they have missed the class of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Right-back has been a problem all season, with six different players starting in that position. Credit to captain Virgil van Dijk for playing every minute of the league campaign thus far, but he is no longer in his all-conquering prime while Ibrahima Konate has struggled too.

Full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong must push on and - with the departures of Salah, Andy Robertson and maybe even goalkeeper Alisson, who has been linked with a move to Juventus - it is time for new leaders to emerge.

Dominik Szoboszlai is already doing that, but Liverpool need more players to step up and take responsibility. Both Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch have been nowhere near the levels they set when Liverpool won the title in 2024/25.

The day after the World Cup final in July, Liverpool will head to the USA for pre-season tour. There is no indication from FSG that Slot is under pressure, but he simply cannot afford a poor start next term.

Slot is of the belief that if the Reds get the signings they want, they can compete at the top again. Fail to do that and the noise will only grow and things could get ugly.

For now, the focus will be entirely on the summer and how Slot can ensure this season is a blip for Liverpool, rather than the continuation of an ongoing decline.

Qualifying for the Champions League by finishing in the top five may prove to be a red herring for Liverpool. It is up to Slot to ensure it isn't.

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