Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has moved to calm growing anxiety around his future, insisting he still feels the full backing of the club’s hierarchy and supporters despite a worrying dip in results.
Arne Slot, who succeeded Jurgen Klopp in June 2024, delivered the Premier League title in his debut season at Anfield. Less than a year on, the mood has shifted. Liverpool sit fifth and are separated by only seven points from 13th-placed Bournemouth.
The Reds have taken just one point from their last three league matches, including a 2-1 defeat by Brighton. Their FA Cup run ended with a heavy 4-0 quarter-final loss to Manchester City, before a 2-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat to Paris St-Germain marked the club’s 16th loss of the season.
In Paris, Liverpool managed just 26 per cent possession and three shots to PSG’s 18. The performance prompted former defender Stephen Warnock to say confidence “feels like an all-time low”, while journalist Julien Laurens admitted he is “struggling” to see Slot remaining in charge next season.
Slot, however, dismissed fears about his position and pointed to the support he continues to receive.
“I’m repeating myself a lot, but I feel a lot of support. Not only from the owners but from Richard [Hughes] and Michael [Edwards]. A lot of support from them but as weird as it might sound, I also feel the support from the fans,” said Slot.
“In Paris when the players went out for the warm-up and after the 4-0 loss [against Manchester City] the fans immediately started singing ‘we love Liverpool’.
“I think it’s fair to say we were outplayed for 90 minutes and they were still singing and clapping for us.
“I’ve said it many times, the club knows the period of time we’re in and in the meantime, I feel complete support.”
The Dutchman believes defeat in Paris can sharpen focus as Liverpool enter what he called a defining stretch of the campaign, beginning with Fulham’s visit to Anfield.
“We faced the champions of Europe and we experienced that we were not on the level we should have been,” he said.
“The good thing is we have four or five days to show we can be much more competitive. It also tells us we want to keep improving and playing at that level next season.
“I think if you experienced that two days ago, you want to be involved next season to show we can do even better. Therefore, we have to perform in the league as well.”
Away from the results, Slot confirmed defender Andy Robertson will leave when his contract expires this summer. The Liverpool boss paid tribute to the Scotland international’s impact across nine trophy-laden years at the club.
“He’s had many great seasons here not only as a player but as a great person as well. Every teammate of his will tell you how funny he is, how great he is,” Slot said.
“What I remember most about him is the intensity he plays with. I can remember Robbo making a press from the left-back position to the right wing a few years ago and I showed it to my players I was working with back then.
“He’s won everything at this club, served his club and really loves this club. [It’s] been a great nine years for him. This season, he didn’t play as much as he was used to and as a result of that, he’s leaving.”
