Arne Slot gave a clear indication that he will remain in charge of Liverpool next season in a message to Reds supporters on the final day. It was a taxing campaign for the Merseyside giants, who fell woefully short of defending their Premier League crown. They were ultimately forced to settle for a fifth-placed finish, with their draw against Brentford securing their place in next season’s Champions League.
Liverpool‘s disappointing form has piled the pressure on Slot to turn things around or risk being sacked during the summer break. Andoni Iraola has already been put forward as a potential replacement for the Dutchman if he is relieved of his duties. However, in his programme notes for the Brentford game, Slot hinted that he wouldn’t be going anywhere.
He wrote: “This is our opportunity to take something tangible from the season. First and foremost it would allow the club to play in the Champions League for a third successive season.
“This is where we want to be but also where we need to be given the model we have and the opportunities that qualification brings us.”
Slot, who has insisted that he is already working on transfer targets ahead of the summer window, added: “I could not be more aware of what European football – and especially the Champions League – means to our supporters.
“So taking the final step is not something we want to take just for ourselves. We also want to do it for you and with you.
“At Liverpool the highest standards are always set for us and by us and not reaching them should sharpen everyone’s appetite for what comes next.”
Slot’s message was accompanied by a far more poignant one from Virgil van Dijk, who spoke about the impact of Diogo Jota‘s death before the start of the season.
The forward was killed in a car crash alongside his brother Andre and a permanent memorial is set to be introduced at Anfield in the not-too-distant future.
In his own message, Van Dijk told supporters: “Away from football it has been an extremely challenging season given what happened last summer.
“I just wanted to take the opportunity to say that the support that everybody associated with the club, players, staff and of course supporters, had given for Diogo, Andre and the family throughout this campaign has been amazing.
“I know that will continue. There will soon be a permanent tribute to both Diogo and Andre at Anfield – their legacy will never be forgotten.”