Liam Duckstein
Arne Slot has moved to silence speculation about his future at Liverpool, stating with confidence that he will be in the dugout next season despite a difficult campaign that has left the club fourth in the Premier League, 20 points behind leaders Arsenal.
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Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Friday‘s trip to Aston Villa, the Dutchman was direct. “I don’t think I am deciding that alone, but I have every reason to believe I am the Liverpool manager next season,” he said. “First of all, I am contracted to the club, and second of all, from all the talks we are having. That is my take on it.”
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This is Slot‘s second season at Anfield, arriving one year after winning the Premier League title in his debut campaign. The club committed a record £450 million ($609 million) to new signings last summer, but that outlay has produced little return. Injuries to key players have disrupted the squad throughout the season, compounded by the tragic death of Diogo Jota in a car accident in July.
With two games remaining, Liverpool hold a four-point lead over sixth-placed Bournemouth, and a top-five finish will secure Champions League qualification.
Supporter patience at Anfield has worn thin. Last weekend’s 1-1 draw with a struggling Chelsea side was met with loud boos at full-time, and Slot‘s decision to substitute Rio Ngumoha during the match drew visible derision from the crowd.
“I think the world has gone to where if a manager or a club doesn’t have the best season, there is always a debate. That is all around the world, not only at Liverpool. That is the new reality in football. It is not up to me to judge the people who judge me. They have every right to have their opinion.”
Slot, who built his reputation at Feyenoord, confirmed he is embedded in the club’s planning for next season, including transfer activity and pre-season arrangements. “We know where we go on tour. Plans have been made and talks have been ongoing with the club for new players and I am involved in that,” he said. After the Chelsea match, he also pledged a “different team next season” if the summer window proceeds as expected.
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Speculation had linked former Liverpool favourite Xabi Alonso as a potential replacement for Slot. Recent reports place the former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid coach closer to taking charge at Chelsea next season, which effectively closes that avenue.
Slot also confirmed that Mohamed Salah will be available for a limited role against Aston Villa. The Egyptian had been a doubt after suffering a hamstring injury last month, raising fears that he may have already played his final game for the club before his departure at the end of the season after nine years at Anfield.
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