Title race is over – Arne Slot

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Premier League champions Liverpool travel to London to face leaders Arsenal sitting fourth in the table, 14 points adrift after a difficult title defence under manager Arne Slot.
Arsenal, who have lost only twice all season, are pushing to win their first league crown since the famed “Invincibles” campaign of 2003-04, and another victory would further tighten their grip on top spot.

In an interview ahead of the match, Slot openly concedes that Liverpool’s title race is effectively over, stressing that the club’s realistic priority is now securing Champions League qualification rather than chasing down Arsenal.
He admits it is unpleasant to publicly write off the title, noting that “you never know what can happen in football,” but insists it would be wrong to talk about the championship given Liverpool’s current position and points deficit.

Slot explains that Liverpool’s main target is a top-four or top-five finish, ensuring a return to Europe’s elite competition, while also competing seriously in the Champions League and FA Cup.
He says Liverpool must be prepared in case something “no one would expect” happens in the title picture, but makes clear he is travelling to the Emirates focused on “winning a game of football against a very strong team,” not on reigniting a title bid.

Reflecting on performances, Slot acknowledges criticism that Liverpool’s intensity has dropped in some matches, but argues that this is partly due to how opponents set up to contain his side.
He highlights games against Aston Villa and Brighton as the most entertaining of Liverpool’s recent fixtures, and suggests the next step in the team’s evolution is to impose a consistently fast, proactive style regardless of the opposition’s approach – something he believes Liverpool are “not there” with yet.