Liverpool boss Slot optimistic despite setbacks: ‘The future looks bright’
Liverpool will bounce back strongly next season, according to boss Arne Slot
Arne Slot insists the future looks bright for Liverpool despite the midweek Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain that confirmed they will end this season without a trophy.
It has been a desperately disappointing Premier League title defence with the Reds sitting in fifth place ahead of Sunday’s Merseyside derby at Everton. The European defeat to PSG was the latest cup setback following on from EFL Cup and FA Cup losses to Crystal Palace and Manchester City, respectively.
Slot’s future remains uncertain but the Dutchman is confident that with the some shrewd transfer dealings in the summer Liverpool will bounce back next year.
He said: “This is already a very strong team but it takes some changes with Robbo [Andrew Robertson] and Mo [Salah] leaving. As I have said many times, the future looks bright for us.
“I don’t think in numbers [of transfers needed]. Let’s first see what happens in the summer and we will know what needs to happen.
“Last summer we made quite a lot of signings. In the four windows I have been here we have a net spend of £150m I think. That shows what kind of club we are.”
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Slot devastated for stricken Liverpool star Ektike
Liverpool will also be without striker Hugo Ekitike for several months, and perhaps the remainder of 2026, after he ruptured an Achilles tendon during the second leg against PSG.
The France international will miss the World Cup and faces a long road to recovery.
Slot said: ”He hasn’t been operated on yet. It is devastating for him, coming to a new club and having such an impact straight away. Your first thoughts are always with him, missing out on so many special moments. He is not the first or last player who will experience this and many have come back stronger.
“I’m sure in 10, 15 years he will say this injury helped me to perform at an even higher level than before.”
Ekitike’s first-half injury did not have a disruptive effect on Liverpool’s display on Tuesday night with only some fine goalkeeping from PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov keeping the hosts at bay before two late Ousmane Dembele goals settled the tie.
Slot said of his players: “They have shown a lot of character against Paris St-Germain. Being the better team against PSG is very complicated. They were very well rested and a lot of my players broke records in terms of physical output. That tells you how strong and how ready they are and that will be no different on Sunday.”
Slot does not believe Everton’s new stadium will make a difference on Sunday
It will be Liverpool’s first visit to Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium. Last season’s derby at Goodison Park ended in controversial fashion with the Reds stunned by a last-gasp equaliser from James Tarkowski that they felt should have been disallowed.
“The crowd didn’t affect me last season, the refereeing decisions affected me,” said Slot. “Last season was my first Merseyside derby. I think their fans will be loud, as will ours. I think it is not the stadium in itself but the players which make the difference. The fans can help for sure.”
Joe Gomez won’t be fit after coming off against PSG but Alexander Isak is set to start in attack as he builds his way back to fitness from a broken leg.
The Sweden striker looked rusty in midweek before being withdrawn at half-time.
Slot said: “I was saying that you cannot write the script that Alexander Isak is back from four months with injury when the other [Hugo Ekitike] is injured. It’s nice to have Alex back, although we also know that he is not ready to play 90 minutes yet.
“Cody [Gakpo] did really well when he came on in the second half. You never know how a game is going to work out but he [Isak] is getting closer and closer. We need him but there are different options. Federico Chiesa is another of them.”