Slot: Title race is over for us, Champions League is now our goal

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Arne Slot has conceded that Liverpool’s Premier League title defence is effectively over, with the club now refocusing on securing Champions League qualification.[1] Liverpool sit fourth in the table, 14 points behind leaders Arsenal ahead of their crucial trip to the Emirates, despite an eight-game unbeaten league run.[1]

Slot acknowledges that, mathematically, anything can still happen, but insists that talk of the title race is unrealistic given Liverpool’s current position and Arsenal’s form.[1] Instead, he has set a clear target of a top-four or top-five finish to ensure Champions League football next season, alongside pursuing success in the Champions League and FA Cup this term.[1]

While he refuses to frame the Arsenal clash in terms of the title, Slot emphasizes going there simply to win a difficult game against a very strong side rather than chasing improbable scenarios at the top of the table.[1] He also reflects self-critically on Liverpool’s season, admitting that some performances have been “so bad”, yet he remains optimistic about significant improvement in the second half of the campaign.[1]

Tactically, Slot hints at the next phase of Liverpool’s development: becoming a team that can impose a consistently fast, proactive style regardless of the opponent, rather than reacting to others’ approaches.[1] He concedes they are “not there” yet, but views this as the natural next step in their evolution.[1]

Ultimately, Slot’s message is one of pragmatism and recalibration: the title is out of reach barring an unprecedented collapse from Arsenal, so Liverpool’s priorities are now Champions League qualification and maximizing their chances in the remaining cup competitions, while continuing to build a more dominant and reliable playing identity.[1]