Liverpool manager Arne Slot said on May 14 he has “every reason to believe” he will remain Liverpool manager next season and is already involved in planning the squad and pre-season tour despite criticism over results this year [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Slot said, “I don’t think I am deciding that alone but I have every reason to believe I am the Liverpool manager next season. 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.” [1]
Liverpool sit fifth in the Premier League after losing 4-2 to Aston Villa on May 15, dropping from fourth place and putting their Champions League qualification at risk with two matches left [1, 6, 7, 8]. Defender Joe Gomez called the defeat “frustrating” and stressed the need to focus on the final game against Brentford to secure a top-four finish [7]. Liverpool hold a four-point cushion over sixth-placed Bournemouth and Brighton but face a tough fight to finish in the top five [1, 3, 5].
The defeat to Villa was Liverpool’s 19th loss across all competitions this season and the first time the team has conceded more than 50 goals in a Premier League campaign, with 52 goals conceded so far [9, 10]. Slot acknowledged teams always debate a manager’s future after poor seasons, saying, “If a manager or a club doesn’t have their best season there is always a debate about that – it is not only Liverpool it is all around the world. That is the new reality in football.” [4]
Fan discontent towards Slot has grown amid recent poor results and questionable decisions, such as substituting teenager Rio Ngumoha during the Chelsea match. Supporters have expressed frustration openly with boos and jeers in recent games [1, 2, 9, 3, 5]. Liverpool spent a record £450 million on players last summer, but the investment has yet to translate into consistent success [1, 3, 5]. The squad also faced adversity with injuries and the death of Diogo Jota in a car accident in July 2025 [1, 3, 5].
Mohamed Salah, in his final Liverpool season after nine years, will play a limited role in the closing matches [1, 11, 10, 3, 5]. He called publicly for Liverpool to return to their former “heavy metal attacking team” style to win trophies again, stating, “That is the football I know how to play and that is the identity that needs to be recovered and kept for good.” [11] Salah described the string of defeats as “very painful and not what our fans deserve.” [10] He has had a public breakdown in his relationship with Slot during the season [11, 10].
Speculation about Slot’s future continues, with former player Xabi Alonso linked to Liverpool but reportedly closer to Chelsea [1, 3, 5]. Liverpool’s final Premier League match is at home against Brentford on May 24, where a win will be crucial for Champions League qualification [7, 11, 10, 8].
