Arne Slot claims Liverpool backslide was inevitable as he details internal FSG chats

The Liverpool head coach is under increasing pressure from outside the club, but maintains he still has the support of key club figures ahead at the end of a difficult season

Arne Slot said he some turbulence at Liverpool was expected after the end of the Jurgen Klopp cycle(Image: PA)

Arne Slot feels Liverpool’s title success last season stalled an inevitable regression for the team following Jurgen Klopp’s exit.

The German departed Anfield in 2024 with the Reds finishing third in his final campaign, nine points behind champions Manchester City. While most expected the team to struggle after Klopp moved on, Slot defied the odds and led the club to a record-equalling 20th top-flight success.

This season has been a different story, with Liverpool fifth heading into the final seven league matches and the campaign likely to end without silverware. While uncertainty over Slot’s position continues to dominate headlines, the Dutchman has remained calm and insisted he retains the backing of FSG and club executives.

That’s despite the £450 million (over $600M) investment in the squad last summer, when the squad’s transition from the Klopp to Slot era really began, especially with just one signing made in his first transfer window at Liverpool.

While some may have been shocked at the backside this season, Slot claims the Anfield hierarchy expected it at some point, and even discussed that possibility in the early days of his premiership at the club.

“I’m not saying this is what we are seeing but this is one of the things we are aligned on – not now, but one-and-a-half years ago,” the Liverpool coach said ahead of the Reds’ crucial Premier League clash against Fulham.

Arne Slot continues to be backed by FSG at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

“It is normal in football that you have cycles. Mo [Salah] and Robbo [Andy Robertson] have announced they are leaving but I’m really happy that they have worked with all of the signings we did last summer because they [the new signings] have been able to see what the club means to them and how hard they work.

“It is a normal process at successful clubs, or any clubs, that there is an end to a cycle. That’s not something that is new to us. The great thing is that we maybe postponed that cycle with last season.”

Recent reports have indicated Slot still has the backing of sporting director Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards, FSG’s Football CEO.

That could prove crucial in determining the coach’s future this summer, with Slot claiming he and the Liverpool executives believe there are an abundance of mitigating circumstances to explain this season’s decline.

Slot is coming under increasing pressure at Liverpool, but feels the club's owners agree with his verdict of the season(Image: Getty Images)

“I can come up with all the reasons why this season has been so difficult,” said Slot. “Everyone can see them so why should I always tell them as that becomes making excuses and it is not good to make excuses.

“It is so obvious and so clear, it is not difficult to see all the problems we faced. I cannot tell you what we are saying to each other but I think we all see the same. By that I mean the ownership, Richard, Michael, everyone. Everyone sees what is happening in front of our eyes and we are all aligned in what we are seeing and on the reasons for it.”

On FSG’s communicates its continued support backing, Slot added: “It’s not about every day they are saying ‘we support you, we support you’.

“It is talking through what we see is happening and, sometimes, it is not always needed to say ‘I am supporting you’, but you can feel that support. I’ve felt that support since I’ve been here and definitely recently.”