Arne Slot says Liverpool should be “near perfection” in the event that they wish to qualify for subsequent season’s Champions League and admits failure to take action could be “unacceptable”.
The Merseysiders head to Sunderland tomorrow night in sixth place in the Premier League following Sunday’s heartbreaking defeat to Manchester City. Fifth place is more likely to be sufficient to safe a spot in Europe’s elite membership competitors whereas fourth would assure it.
Liverpool are 4 factors behind fifth-placed Chelsea and 5 adrift of Manchester United in fourth.
And Slot concedes there’s little margin for error from right here on in.
He mentioned: “Near perfection [is needed] due to the factors we’re behind. It’s totally different while you’re 4 factors behind a workforce that’s 18th as they usually don’t decide up as many as a fourth- or fifth-placed workforce.
“Now we have to win so much and we haven’t achieved that so much this season in order that needs to be higher.
“Margins are very small as seven minutes from time we had been 5 factors behind Metropolis and now we’re 11 behind.”
Failing to complete within the high 5 would have severe implications for Liverpool’s summer season switch plans – to not point out Slot’s personal job safety.
The Dutchman has first-hand expertise of the impression it may possibly have, including: “If we don’t have Champions League soccer, then it’s undoubtedly not been an appropriate season.
“Once I arrived right here [in 2024] we may solely signal Federico Chiesa and that was after a Europa League season. I’m utterly conscious of that.”
Slot admits this has been hardest season but
Slot’s profession trajectory to this point has been certainly one of regular progress with profitable spells at Cambuur and AZ Alkmaar culminating in home title successes within the Netherlands and England with Feyenoord and Liverpool respectively.
And he admits this season has been his hardest in administration to this point.
“It’s been the hardest season for me as a supervisor by a mile,” he mentioned. “I don’t suppose I’d ever beforehand misplaced two video games in a row. It’s an exception for me and the gamers, they aren’t used to dropping and drawing a lot.
“This season has been difficult. However I additionally take a look at how a lot enchancment we’re making. The principle factor as a supervisor is outcomes, however the subsequent factor is seeing gamers can enhance and I’m seeing that.
“Our performances are a lot better now than firstly of the season the place we began enjoying a double programme. Since we went into that we began to drop a variety of factors.”
