Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, has assured supporters that the club will return stronger next season after a difficult campaign that has left the Reds battling to secure a Champions League place.
The Reds were booed off the pitch following a 1-1 Premier League draw against Chelsea FC at Anfield on Saturday. Slot also faced criticism from supporters after replacing teenager Rio Ngumoha during the second half.
Liverpool currently sit fourth in the Premier League and remain in contention for Champions League qualification despite a season affected by injuries and inconsistent results.
Slot, who guided Liverpool to the league title in his first season in charge, said he understands the frustration among supporters but remains convinced the team will improve.
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“I do,” said Slot, on whether he thinks he can win the fans back over.
“Not this season, by the way. This season, they will have their opinion, and it will not change.
“If we can have the summer that we are planning to have, then I’m 100 per cent convinced that we will be a different team next season than we are now. Different in terms of results, different in how things look.”
Liverpool’s season began under difficult circumstances following the death of forward Diogo Jota in a car accident while returning to England for pre-season.
The club also spent heavily in the transfer market but struggled with injuries to several important players throughout the campaign.
Against Chelsea, Liverpool were without Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, while club-record signing Alexander Isak only appeared as a substitute in the second half.
Slot admitted Liverpool have clear weaknesses that need to be addressed during the summer transfer window.
“It’s not always possible to also get exactly what you want, but for us, for me, it’s really clear what we are lacking this season,” added Slot.
“We’re trying with the players we have now because one of the things we are lacking is players that are fit, but the players that we have available now, I think again showed in the second half that they want to give everything and try to push, but it was not enough.”
The Liverpool manager also defended his decision to substitute Ngumoha, explaining that the youngster was struggling physically after an impressive display.
“I knew this would have been the reaction because he’s such a popular figure and he played a good 65 minutes,” said Slot.
“As it is so often in football, people don’t know everything, and that’s how it works, but it is what it is.
“I’m the manager, I need to make decisions. And sometimes people are happy with them, sometimes they are not, and today clearly they weren’t.”
