Arne Slot’s Liverpool feelings as FSG stance clear after manager talks | Football | Sport

Liverpool boss Arne Slot believes he can turn the tide at Anfield following a deeply disappointing campaign. The Reds fell well short of the commanding standards they set during the 2024-25 season, which saw them crowned Premier League champions.

Slot has faced mounting pressure after suffering 19 defeats across all competitions this season, with Liverpool scraping into the Champions League on the final day of the campaign. Owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) opted to keep faith with Slot despite widespread calls for his dismissal, narrowly avoiding the catastrophe of missing out on European football’s premier competition.

Nevertheless, the pressure has not subsided, with question marks over his long-term future continuing to linger. Chelsea‘s decision to appoint Xabi Alonso as their new manager has closed off one potential route the Reds might have considered, leaving Slot to look towards the summer transfer window to resolve this season’s shortcomings.

The Telegraph reports that the Dutch coach believes he can put things right, having spoken of the necessity for Liverpool to bring in at least one winger during the summer window in a bid to fill the void left by the departing Mohamed Salah. He said: “One of the reasons why everyone is talking about wingers is because Mo is leaving.

“It makes complete sense to think about at least one. I think last season gives you the answer because of how important our wingers were to our success last season.

“They were scoring goals, providing goals, so they were a vital part of us winning the league last season and, in general in football, you see more and more focus on wingers.”

Slot admitted his side did not bring the same level as they did during their title winning campaign, and nor did he. He added: “Last season, one of the reasons why we were so difficult to play against was because we had threats over on the right side, on the left side.”

“It was not only the wingers, it is the combination between the winger and the full-back. Last season I think if you had to describe the style of play I would describe it as very reliant on the winger-full-back combinations.

“We have tried that this season again but there hasn’t been the end product that we had last season. That is not to say it is only about them. We all – me included – didn’t bring the same level.”

The report further claims that Slot rejected the opportunity to return to the Netherlands when Ajax approached him with an offer to take charge midway through last season. Slot remains determined to make his mark at Anfield, and the Reds’ hierarchy have continued to back their manager throughout.

Liverpool are fully aware of the need to find a replacement for talismanic forward Salah this summer, despite him also enduring a frustrating dip in form last season. Yan Diomande, Bradley Barcola and Anthony Gordon have all been linked with moves to Anfield this summer, and Slot’s remarks strongly suggest the club will secure at least one wide player ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.