Arne Slot outlines 'special season' aim with Liverpool boss refusing to give up

Despite the frustrating first half of the season and the recent underwhelming performances, Arne Slot still feels the Reds can take something from the second part of the campaign

Arne Slot has insisted Liverpool can still enjoy a positive second half of the season despite the underwhelming run of recent results

Arne Slot has insisted he still believes this can be a special season for Liverpool, despite the Reds’ underwhelming campaign to date.

Liverpool sits 14 points behind leaders Arsenal, and that could be extended further when the sides meet at the Emirates on Thursday. Liverpool’s hopes of reclaiming its title are all but dead, and the chance of enjoying any form of success will now be limited to cup competitions.

However, Slot is not too downbeat about the campaign to date and believes the team has shown enough quality at times to suggest it is still capable of competing at the highest level.

“There are so many times this club has shown when it didn’t have the greatest form in the league that they were able to win another trophy,” said the Dutchman in Wednesday’s pre-match press conference.

“Other clubs have shown this recently as well, that it is always possible because we have a very good and talented group and we have shown this season - Inter Milan away, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at home, Aston Villa, who have won 18 from their last 20 games and only lost to us and Arsenal, and we’ve beaten Arsenal at home, so we’ve shown that we can compete with almost every team.

“In all, the other games [apart from Manchester City] we have been competitive with everyone.

Paul Merson and Chris Sutton are predicting a tough time for Arne Slot and Liverpool against Arsenal. (Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

“We haven’t had the consistency against the clubs where we usually win and that is why we are 14 points behind Arsenal,” he added.

Liverpool’s current run of nine games without defeat certainly suggests that some improvement has been made since the diabolical streak of nine losses in 12 during the autumn months.

However, performances have been disappointing during that spell, and Slot admitted after successive draws against Leeds United and Fulham that the Reds need to start earning more victories.

Liverpool's recent performances have underwhelmed(Image: Getty Images)

“It is nine games unbeaten but we have definitely had two draws too many,” said the former Feyenoord boss.

“Where are we? I think I've said so many times that the answer to that question is we aren't where we want to be, but I feel we have a very talented squad. If everyone's available and ready, then I think we can do special things.

“I think we've also shown that this season because we've got quite a lot of impressive wins, but we've also had unimpressive draws and losses.

“We haven't had the consistency but we've already beaten some very good teams, so that tells you the talent is definitely there but the consistency isn't.”