Arne Slot Calls This His Toughest Season As Liverpool Struggle To Match Their Standards

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has described the current campaign as the most difficult of his managerial career, admitting his team is falling short of the standards expected at Anfield.

The Reds’ defeat to Manchester City on Sunday has left the Premier League champions sixth in the table, four points behind fifth-placed Chelsea.

Liverpool are level on points with Brentford and would have slipped below them on goal difference had Rayan Cherki’s late third goal for City not been ruled out.

Slot, who took over from Jurgen Klopp in June 2024 and guided Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th top-flight title in his first season, has overseen a challenging second year despite significant summer investment.

The club spent close to £450 million on new signings, including a British-record £125 million deal for Alexander Isak.

Liverpool’s league record so far this season stands at 11 wins, six draws and eight defeats, a return that has fuelled concerns over their hopes of securing Champions League football.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Slot did not hold back when asked if this has been the toughest season he has faced.

“By a mile. All the other seasons I have managed, there were only positives,” he said.

“I don’t think I have ever lost two games in a row [until now]. It’s an exception for me, I am not used to it.

“I don’t think we feel we’ve only lost two of our last 17. A draw feels like a loss.

“The players know what the standards of Liverpool mean and we aren’t performing to those standards. They feel that disappointment.”

With the Premier League likely to send five teams into next season’s Champions League, Liverpool still has a realistic chance of qualifying. However, Slot has stressed that anything less would be viewed as unacceptable.

“If we don’t have Champions League football [next season], it’s definitely not been an acceptable season,” he said.

“When I arrived here and only signed Federico Chiesa, it was after a Europa League season.

“That does have an enormous impact on the way this club is run. I am completely aware of that.”

Liverpool travel to Sunderland on Wednesday night, facing a side that remains unbeaten at home this season. Slot is dealing with selection headaches at right-back, with Dominik Szoboszlai suspended after his late red card against Manchester City.

Conor Bradley is ruled out for the rest of the season, Jeremie Frimpong has not played since suffering a groin injury against Qarabag, and Joe Gomez is sidelined with a knock.

Striker Alexander Isak and centre-back Giovanni Leoni are also long-term absentees, further stretching the squad.

Despite recent setbacks, Slot insists he remains confident in his approach and his players.

“It’s different to lead the team after a loss or multiple losses and draws than a win but I don’t think anybody in this building thinks I’ve completely changed,” he added.

“There’s still a possibility that we can do something special this season.”