Arne Slot says he cannot guarantee that Alexander Isak will return for Liverpool before the end of the Premier League season next week

Arne Slot believes Liverpool supporters are underestimating what the summer transfer window and a new start can do for the team.

The spotlight grew harsher and voices of critics louder in the aftermath of Liverpool’s 12th defeat of the Premier League season, with the Reds capitulating on the road again.

On the eve of the trip to Villa, Slot said he had “every reason to believe I’m the Liverpool manager next season,” echoing reports that he retains the support of the club’s hierarchy.

With the vast majority of supporters calling for change, Slot told reporters that while he can “understand” the lack of confidence, he feels fans are underestimating “what a new start can do.”

“I can understand at this moment of time that they don’t have a lot of confidence, or a lot of feeling that things can be much better next season,” Slot said when asked if fans have enough to get behind this summer.

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“But I think then they are underestimating what a window can do, what a new start can do, and I think we know quite well what to improve.”

His definition of ‘a new start’ and that of supporters may be a little different, however.

Arne Slot points to ‘obvious’ Liverpool injury crisis

Slot then felt he was ‘almost forced’ to discuss one of the “very obvious” mitigating factors that was present at Villa: the club’s injury list.

“I think one of the things we have to improve is also very, very, very obvious, and I would have preferred not to talk about it here, but you’re actually almost forcing me to,” he continued.

“If you miss nine players that can start a game of football, and almost all of them are starters for us, or have been for a large part of the season starters for us.

“Then, if you add that to what you can improve in a window, and add that to players that are playing for the second season in the Premier League, and I think we saw that the adaptation to the Premier League for a few of them took some time, but that’s now better and better.

“That will automatically lead to much more, because even today, it’s my opinion, no one has to agree with me, but even today, for large parts of the game, we were close to a result.

“But then when you are the better team, you need to generate more chances, and if you have the chances, you need to score them, and we cannot concede as many set-pieces as we’ve conceded this season.

“So I don’t think the differences, or it’s so big, only doing in a few situations the right thing can already have a massive upwards possibility.”

Liverpool were without Alisson, Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, Wataru Endo, Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike at Aston Villa, five of whom would likely have started if fit.

While their absence, and injuries to others, have certainly played a role in the campaign, it does not excuse how directionless Liverpool have consistently been dating back to last season.

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Liverpool had insult added to injury on Friday night after striker Ollie Watkins admitted just how easy the Reds have now become to play against.

A torrid evening at Villa Park saw yet another sterile Liverpool performance bring on a big defeat, with Unai Emery’s side confirming Champions League football as a result.

Watkins was on target twice in the 4-2 rout, taking his total tally against the Reds to eight. Only Andy Cole and Harry Kane have scored more against Liverpool.

When praised and asked about his enjoyment of facing Liverpool, Watkins offered a brutally honest assessment which only spells bad news for Arne Slot.

The Villa striker admitted: “They play a high line and they don’t play offsides so they’re disjointed at the back and I feel like there’s a lot of space for me to run into.

“I always feel like I’m going to get opportunities against them, that’s no disrespect to them. The two centre backs are world class at the end of the day but I think I spot opportunities and spaces in between them.

“When it’s a high line like that I like to run in behind and create some danger for them.”

Watkins may have tempered his assessment somewhat by doing Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate the lip-service of acknowledging their credentials, but the underlining sentiment is bleak.

Liverpool have been porous at the back all season, but now Premier League strikers are openly coming out and expressing their enjoyment of facing Slot’s back line.

Only 5 teams have conceded more than Liverpool this season

The Reds have conceded 77 goals conceded this season in all competitions – the most in over 20 years.

The 52 goals conceded in the league is the first time conceding over 50 in a 38-game season.

Only Leeds and the bottom four clubs have conceded more than Slot’s side this season.

That opponents have to do Liverpool the favour in publicly stating they mean no offence when laying bare their frailties for all to see certainly speaks volumes.

Losing so miserably at Villa Park now means confidence is lower than ever before, with Liverpool yet to officially secure Champions League qualification.

All may yet come down to the wire on the final game of the season as Brentford arrive at Anfield, in a fixture which will also host the farewells of Mo Salah and Andy Robertson.

Liverpool, as a result of their own wayward form and lacklustre intent, have now opened up the possibility of missing out on Champions League football – offered this season out to five places – in front of their home faithful just as two of the biggest names in recent history depart.

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With another defeat on the road for Liverpool, the question that lingers is what reason does any fan have to believe that things will be better next time around?

Aston Villa 4-2 Liverpool

Premier League (37) | Villa Park
May 15, 2026

Goals: Rogers 42′, Watkins 57′, 73′, McGinn 89′; Van Dijk 52′, 90+2′

This exemplified why there is no faith in Arne Slot

Watching Liverpool’s toothless attack, you could easily imagine how a summer in which reinforcements up top are sought could help change things for the better for this team.

But you were also given proof of why so few have faith in Arne Slot – because it is not just the frontline that is a problem in this team.

The fact is, there is not some huge shift in personnel coming in midfield and defence, and yet both of those areas have been shambolic for large parts of the campaign.

Here, they fell beyond that into downright disgraceful.

As such, without a change of coach, what reason does any fan have to believe that things will be better next time around?

Liverpool’s defensive woes underlined

Further to that point, how could it be possible that the addition of wingers might fix a defence that is Liverpool’s worst in over 100 years?

As Opta’s Michael Reid pointed out, the Reds have now conceded 52 Premier League goals this season, the most in a 38-game campaign since 1914/15.

This is a historically bad side in defensive terms, and there are no major plans to overhaul the backline, particularly if Ibrahima Konate eventually stays.

For that reason, you can expect that Liverpool will be just as easy to cut through when the next season begins.

Still work to do on set-pieces

In losing here, Liverpool conceded their 19 and 20th goals from set-pieces in the Premier League this season – the worst record in the division.

And that underlined that they still have some way to go in terms of that aspect of the game, despite improvements in the second half of the campaign.

At the point Aaron Briggs was sacked, the Reds had scored three and conceded 12 for a set-piece goal difference of minus nine, while they have since scored 15 and conceded seven for a goal difference of plus eight.

That is, of course, an impressive turnaround, but there is still room for growth in terms of the defensive side, as they proved here.

Whether set-piece analyst Lewis Mahoney gets to head that up after doing some fantastic work in the second half of the campaign or an exterior appointment is sought, Liverpool have to get this right.

Giorgi Mamardashvili is a concern for Liverpool

It is already clear that Liverpool need to make changes out wide, in midfield, and in defence when the summer window arrives, but might they also need to go into the market for a goalkeeper?

Alisson is attracting strong interest from Juventus and so could depart which, as things stand, would leave Giorgi Mamardashvili as first choice.

But it would be fair to say that the Georgian has yet to win over the fanbase, and he showed why that is the case at Villa Park.

Perhaps Alisson‘s ridiculous standards have clouded things, but Rogers’ opener looked saveable, as did plenty of the other goals all while Mamardashvili continued to struggle with the ball at his feet.

You still sometimes wonder if Liverpool might well wish they had bit the bullet on Alisson a season earlier and given Caoimhin Kelleher the chance he deserved.

How are you feeling about Champions League qualification?

Perhaps the only thing that might force FSG’s hand when it comes to Slot would be a failure to qualify for the Champions League.

And that feels like a genuine possibility from here given how poorly the Reds have played over the last few weeks.

A home game against Brentford is no gimme given the Bees won the first fixture between the sides this season, and both Brighton and Bournemouth are in good enough form to win their games and close the gap.

The most fitting ending to what has been a woeful campaign remains on the cards.

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Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool have far too many "weak" players in their team after they were "taken to the cleaners" by Aston Villa in their 4-2 loss on Friday Night Football.

The Reds succumbed to a 12th league defeat of the season, meaning Arne Slot's side have not won a Premier League away game against a team in the top nine all term.

Their defensive frailties continued against Unai Emery's side and Liverpool have now let in 52 goals in the league this season - the most they have ever conceded in a 38-game season.

Image: Liverpool are at an all-time low defensively

"This has been happening from the first day of the season on a Friday night against Bournemouth," said Carragher on Sky Sports co-commentary duty.

"Liverpool have far too many weak players - physically and mentally - and it has to be fixed. It looks like Arne Slot is going to be the man who has to fix it next season.

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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Aston Villa’s match against Liverpool in the Premier League

"But this result does nothing in terms of the feelings of the supporters around his position right now.

"Liverpool don't excel at anything. They look like a really average team. They have been taken to the cleaners."

'I can't actually believe Liverpool are fifth'

Carragher took issue with Liverpool failing to get a big result away from home against a team currently sitting in the top nine positions all season - adding it is more about character than quality.

The only time Liverpool have not lost against those teams was a goalless draw against Arsenal in January.

Image: Liverpool have struggled against the best teams away from home

"When you look at those results away from home, I always think it tells you about your personality and character," said Carragher.

"I can't actually believe that Liverpool are fifth in the league. You think about the numbers of the goals they've conceded, they never look threatening going forward, and that away record - and Liverpool are fifth in the Premier League? Wow.

"It's the first season where I've seen Virgil van Dijk look human - and it's had an effect on others. When you look at his partners, people tell me how good they are.

"But when Van Dijk is not at his best, sometimes you need them to step up and help him a little bit. It doesn't happen."

Should Liverpool stick with Slot or go for Alonso?

Meanwhile, fellow Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp believes Slot deserves another year in charge - despite Liverpool's poor season.

However, he also understands there is an "elephant in the room" regarding Xabi Alonso - who is wanted by Chelsea and has been called for by Liverpool fans to take over from Slot in the summer.

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Jamie Redknapp believes Arne Slot will be under immense pressure if Liverpool fail to secure Champions League football next season, especially with Xabi Alonso available to replace him

"What I'm seeing this year is what I expected to happen last year," said Redknapp. "I thought Liverpool would have a difficult time after losing Jurgen Klopp, because he was such a talismanic manager and influential on everything.

"But it didn't happen. They won the league. This year there has been such a drop-off. There are so many reasons behind it, so many mitigating circumstances at the start of the season, and I don't want to make excuses for the players.

"Because that isn't good enough, what we've seen this year and what they've served up, the energy.

"But Alexander Isak was signed for big money, got injured, starts getting fit, gets injured again. Hugo Ekitike has had an up and down start. You can't address problems when you haven't had the best players fit. It's hard to address a problem when you haven't got Isak and [Florian] Wirtz.

"A lot of this is on Arne Slot. If they don't get Champions League football he will be under certain pressure. There will be question marks.

"But you see it, hear it - a lot of people are moving away from him being their manager next year. I really struggle with that. Because when you've won the league the year before and you get rid of the manager the year after, that doesn't sit too well with me.

"Obviously the massive elephant in the room is Xabi Alonso. A lot of fans in the room are seduced by that idea, he did a great job at Leverkusen and he's an elite manager. I can see the attraction.

"But there's a part of me that thinks Slot deserves another year because of winning the Premier League title. I expect better next year. I expect a better version of Wirtz, I see a better version of Liverpool once Isak is fit. Ekitike is a while off, they need a new right-back and they need more energy in the team.

"But I feel uncomfortable getting rid of a manager after getting Champions League."

Slot asked: Is this is a mentality issue?

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Arne Slot admitted that Liverpool struggled to cope with Aston Villa's quality and intensity after the heavy 4-2 defeat at Villa Park

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot to Sky Sports:

"They [the players] did cope with this difficult away game and were fully in the game and able to maybe get a result. But after the 2-1 we crumbled and we struggled.

"In the end we came back to 4-2, so they did not give up, but we struggled to control their pace, intensity and quality.

"We've definitely conceded far too many goals. We also haven't scored enough goals, although two at Villa Park is not bad. If you told me we did that before the game, I would think we are not far from a good result.

"When we are the better team, we struggle to find that goal, mainly because we are not able to create big enough chances when we are the better team.

"When we have a period of time when we are struggling or the other team are better than us, we tend to concede too easy.

"Before this game there was only Bournemouth that has conceded more set-piece goals than us. After this I would not be surprised if we are No 1. That is never a good thing."

Arne's right! The stats that damn Liverpool...

• Excluding penalties, Liverpool have conceded the most goals from set pieces in the Premier League this season (20). The Reds have conceded 11 goals via corners for the first time in a Premier League campaign.
• Liverpool conceded four goals in a Premier League game for the first time since a 4-4 draw with Southampton in their final match of the 2022/23 season.
• The Reds have also leaked more than 50 goals in a 38-game Premier League campaign for the first time (52).
• Liverpool lost their 19th game of the season across all competitions. Since they were last promoted to the top flight in 1962 only in 1992/93 (20) have the Reds suffered more defeats in a campaign (also 19 in 2004/05 and 2009/10).
• Liverpool have conceded 77 goals this season in all competitions. It's the second-most Liverpool have managed since the start of the Premier League.

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Virgil van Dijk netted a brace, but Aston Villa scored four goals in a  thrilling contest that saw the home team come away with a 4-2 victory

• Marmadashvili (5/10) Could have done a better job stopping the Villa goal. Also caught off his line
• Kerkez  (7/10) Stopped a certain third goal 
• Szoboszlai (8/10) As always, brilliant from set pieces, set up the equalizer beautifully.. The slip on the Watkins goal was not his fault
• Jones (6/10) Good moments coming forward, but lacked the final touch or pass for a higher mark 
• Van Dijk (8/10) Simple finishes on the brake, but stayed cool and got the job done
• Konate (5/10 Had troubldealing with balls over the top
• Gakpo (6/10) Like other players, he popped up in good spots, but could not finish 
• Ngumoha (7/10) Unlucky not to score after hitting the post. Played well. 
• Gomez (7/10) Pleasant surprise defensively, and even put a couple of shots toward the goal 
• Gravenberch (6/10)  No mistakes, but no impact 
• Mac Allister (5/10) Too much complaining and looking to draw fouls

The Substitutes

• Chiesa (4/10)  Fould way too much for his short time on the pitch
• Salah (6/10) Some vintage moves, but not enough magic to stage a comeback
• Wirtz (6/10) Same as Salah. Some flashes, but could have used more time on the pitch

Man of the Match

Van Dijk

The Manager

• Arne Slot (6/10) Solid lineup that played well enough to win. Undone by bad luck

LFC Globe Verdict

It waas Murphys Law for the Reds again. Played well for long stretches, but had chances hit the post and saves fell right to Villa players. The final scoreline does show how competitive this match was. Now the Reds face a must win next week for UCL qualification 

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Liverpool made several incursions into the Villa box inside the first 10 minutes. Shortly after, Marmadashvilli was caught off his line, and Joe Gomez had to clear the shot. The home team kept taking advantage of Liverpool’s trouble playing out of the back, but Villa could not score.

Liverpool enjoyed a nice spell of possession around the 20-minute mark, but they could not get on the end of dangerous balls in the box. In the 27th minute, Ryan Gravenberch forced a save, and Cody Gakpo sent home the rebound, but he was offside.

Domonik Szboszlai unleashed a vicious strike in the 30th minute, but it was knocked away for a corner. The corners kept coming over the next stretch of the game, but the Reds could not get the final touch they needed. Villa’s Morgan Rogers scored off of a set piece in the 42nd minute to give his team the lead at the break

Score: 1-0

• Possession:   AV 43  LIV 57
• Shots: 4-5
• Key Battle: Cash vs Ngumoha

LFC Globe Verdict

Liverpool are playing well. That late goal was unfortunate. Ngumoha needs more time on the ball as his defender is on a yellow.

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Liverpool only made one change as Joe Gomez will start in place of Jeremie Frimpong. As expected, Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz return to the bench.

Aston Villa Confirmed Starting XI

Aston Villa Starters: Martínez, Cash, Lindelöf, Konsa, McGinn, Tielemans, Buendía, Watkins, Digne, Pau, Rogers.

Substitutes: Marco Bizot, Ross Barkley, Andrés García, Tammy Abraham, Jadon Sancho, Douglas Luiz, Ian Maatsen, Lamare Bogarde, Leon Bailey.

Liverpool Starting XI

Liverpool Starters: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones, Gakpo, Gravenberch, Ngumoha.

Substitutes: Woodman, Wirtz, Salah, Chiesa, Robertson, Nyoni, McConnell, Ndiaye, W. Wright.

LFC Globe Verdict

I would like to see Andy Robertson get to start since he has only two games left in a Liverpool shirt, but otherwise, this is a strong lineup. There was some hope that Alisson could go, but I am glad Salah is available, if only for a few minutes

Have Your Say

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Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images

A loss Thursday would be a devasting blow in an already frustrating 2024/25.

As is the case for any (sobs) 14th-place team, Tottenham Hotspur's season hinges on competitions outside the Premier League. A bye into the Europa League Round of 16 keeps that avenue open, and the FA Cup remains a possibility as well, but the most immediate and realistic path to silverware is the League Cup. Yes, the road is brutal, with a trip to Anfield before a final against Newcastle, but only 180 minutes separate Spurs from ending their long-standing trophy drought.

That makes Thursday the biggest match of the season so far. Tottenham impressed in the semifinal's first leg, grinding out a 1-0 win despite ceding possession, absorbing pressure, and deploying a makeshift backline. Now, the battle shifts to Liverpool, where the country's best team will be confident in its ability to overcome a one-goal deficit. Spurs enter as clear underdogs but must find a way to advance.

Semifinals (2nd Leg): Liverpool (0) vs. Tottenham Hotspur (1)

Date: Thursday, February 6
Time: 3:00 pm ET, 8:00 pm UK
Location: Anfield Stadium, Liverpool
TV: Paramount+ (USA), Sky Sports Main Event (UK)

Since the first leg, Liverpool has gone 5-1-1, with the lone defeat coming in a meaningless Champions League contest with a rotated lineup. With a Premier League title in sight and a strong European campaign underway, one might assume this competition sits lower on the priority list. Unfortunately for Spurs, there are no significant matches on Liverpool's immediate horizon, meaning Arne Slot is likely to field a strong XI at Anfield.

Both teams were relatively cautious in North London, though for different reasons. Tottenham's approach was shaped by a defense missing three of its four preferred starters, alongside a newly introduced Antonin Kinsky. Ange Postecoglou now has the opportunity of choosing from options like Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel, though plenty of important names like Micky van de Ven remain injured.

For Liverpool, the decision to play pragmatically was likely strategic — returning home with just a one-goal deficit seemed an acceptable trade-off. Having made that decision, Slot's side will now bring intensity reminiscent of December's league fixture. Players like Luis Diaz, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Dominik Szoboszlai were all absent from the first leg's starting lineup, but may be called upon Thursday with the objective more clear.

A few moments of greatness

Tottenham will not see much of the ball at Anfield. Liverpool will dominate possession, generate the bulk of the chances, and apply relentless pressure in Spurs' defensive third. That is a daunting prospect for cobbled-together squad; the number one priority is minimizing mistakes, especially with a lead to protect.

That said, Spurs must be willing to attack when opportunities arise and will not need much possession to be dangerous. Both Dominic Solanke's narrowly disallowed goal and Lucas Bergvall's successful strike in the first leg came via direct play over the top. Exploiting Liverpool's high press with quick, vertical attacks could be Tottenham's best path to maintaining the advantage.

If Spurs can capitalize on a pressing opponent and snatch an insurance goal, the tie will come down to their ability to weather the inevitable storm. Recent form does not inspire much confidence in their defensive resilience, but Tottenham has produced surprising performances against top teams this season. Postecoglou will need another one to keep his second-season trophy promise alive.

Liverpool fans will have seen the social media stories circling that both Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk signing a new contract, something Arne Slot was asked to comment on.

Speaking (via 90min.com), our head coach said: "We have some contractual situations that you don't probably don't know about.

"But Trent, Mo and Virgil haven't extended yet. So we are aware of the fact that we have to be sharp and ready for things that can happen.

"My life is mainly short term but we have so many quality people at this club that look at the longer term as well.

"You always have to be prepared for all the new things coming up.

"The players that don't play a big part at the moment; will they be able to do this another year? Will they fight for their place or will they [want to] go somewhere else?

"So we have to be prepared for the next window and what we can do."

The Dutchman doesn't really like to provide a direct answer on these topics, as it's not something he's directly involved in and prefers to allow time to pass.

However, confirmation that contracts have not been signed is a clear indication of the current situation and does debunk Robbie Fowler's theory.

Salah, Van Dijk and Trent have not yet signed a new contract Pictures via @MoSalah on X

John Barnes has stated that if he were in charge of the new deals, he would select our captain as the most important of the trio.

Many fans have their own opinions as to who they would or wouldn't allow to leave the club but it does feel that the overwhelming majority want all three to commit their future to staying on Merseyside.

You would assume the club can afford to do this but whether the financial model allows it is another question.

It's the same situation we've been in all campaign but we can take from this that no deals have yet been signed and it doesn't feel like we're close to them being done either.

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One year on: EOTK's tribute to Alex South – the former LFC defender who played with Liddell & Paisley

The post Arne Slot directly responds to rumours of Salah and Van Dijk’s new contracts being signed appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all out of contract in the summer, with Liverpool at risk of losing all three of their stars for nothing

Liverpool are set to face Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg tonight.

The Reds lost the away first leg 1-0 controversially courtesy of Lucas Bergvall's late goal but he really should’ve been sent off earlier.

Newcastle United have reached the final by beating Arsenal in the other semi-final so the winner of this tie will take on the Magpies at Wembley on 16th March.

As per team news, Joe Gomez and Diogo Jota have returned to full fitness after recovering from their injury problems but Trent Alexander-Arnold has sustained an issue since featuring against the Cherries. So, he has been ruled out.

Predicted Liverpool lineup vs Tottenham

Caoimhin Kelleher has been playing in the cup competitions but Alisson Becker started in the previous leg at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the Brazilian may continue in goal for the hosts tonight.

Jarell Quansah has started all the Carabao Cup matches thus far this season but considering the importance of the fixture tonight, Ibrahima Konate is expected to be called upon to feature alongside Virgil van Dijk in the CB position.

Conor Bradley would replace injured Alexander-Arnold and Kostas Tsimikas might get the nod to start in the left-back position ahead of Andy Robertson.

Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are likely to continue in the engine room with Dominik Szoboszlai in the CAM role. Therefore, Wataru Endo and Curtis Jones could be among the substitutes.

Cody Gakpo has also played all the League Cup games and should continue in his preferred left-wing position, while Mohamed Salah would be on the opposite side.

Luis Diaz may start again in the CF role, therefore, Darwin Nunez and Jota could feature off the bench if needed. Here is how Liverpool could line up vs Tottenham:

The post 4-2-3-1: How Liverpool could line up against Tottenham – Carabao Cup appeared first on Paisley Gates.

The Sky Sports campaign to try and destabilise Alexander Isak and get him out of Newcastle United is relentless, with the likes of Paul Merson and others, always willing to...

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