Liverpool manager Arne Slot has admitted that failing to qualify for next season’s Champions League would be “unacceptable,” insisting his team must be “close to perfection” to secure a top-five finish in the Premier League.
The defending champions sit five points behind Manchester United and four behind Chelsea ahead of a challenging trip to Sunderland, who remain unbeaten at home this season.
Slot cites luck and injuries as factors
Speaking ahead of the match, Slot acknowledged the difficulties Liverpool have faced this campaign. “When I arrived and signed only Federico Chiesa — my sole transfer that summer — it was after a Europa League season. That has a huge impact on how this club operates,” he said.
The Dutch coach also highlighted a run of unfortunate injuries, including Jeremy Jacquet, who will join Liverpool in the summer but is already sidelined. “It feels like bad luck has been a factor,” Slot said. “Even if we sign a player who isn’t yet playing, he gets injured. Sometimes it feels like misfortune comes to you, but we must focus on performance and improvement.”
Slot reflected on repeated late goals conceded and admitted the line between bad luck and responsibility is blurred. “I’ve tried many things — defensive substitutions, keeping the same players on — and still the ball went in. We haven’t been lucky, that’s for sure. Whether it’s bad luck or part of who we are, we’ll only find out in the next three to four months.”
Injury concerns for Sunderland trip
Liverpool are likely to field Curtis Jones or Wataru Endo at right back after injuries to Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley, while Dominik Szoboszlai is suspended following a red card against Manchester City. Joe Gomez remains a doubt for the trip to the Stadium of Light, though he is expected to train on Tuesday.