Arne Slot believes Liverpool will be even stronger next season as they continue their pursuit of perfection under his leadership. The Dutch coach, on the verge of winning the Premier League title in his first season at Anfield, has set high expectations for his squad despite their dominance throughout the current campaign.
Liverpool need only a point at home to Tottenham to secure a record-equalling 20th league title. Slot, however, is not looking too far ahead or allowing any thoughts of celebration to distract from the task at hand. For him, the focus remains firmly on completing the job in front of their home fans.
While Liverpool have led the table since early November and put together an astonishing 26-game unbeaten run, Slot insists the team has only shown glimpses of his vision. He is adamant that there is still room for significant growth.
“Every manager aims for perfection, even though it’s likely unreachable,” Slot said. “We’ve been close at times, but there are still areas where we must do much better. There are games where we lacked control, and that’s something we have to improve on moving forward.”
Slot’s desire for control complete command over matches from start to finish remains a driving force behind his philosophy. He admits that in a league as competitive as the Premier League, it’s nearly impossible to dominate every minute, but believes Liverpool can push closer to that goal with continued development.
Despite some matches where the team did not fully impose their style, Slot praised their resilience. He noted that even without full control, Liverpool remained difficult to break down and rarely dropped their level of performance. He now wants more ball possession and greater attacking threat, particularly in high-pressure moments.
Looking ahead, Slot acknowledges the expectations and emotional weight surrounding a potential title celebration at Anfield. It would be the first time the club could lift the trophy in front of fans since their 2020 win, which occurred behind closed doors due to the pandemic. His family will be in attendance on Sunday, though their visit was planned long ago to coincide with a public holiday in the Netherlands.
Despite the pressure, Slot stays grounded. Asked about the potential to become a club legend should Liverpool clinch the title, he brushed it off with characteristic humility, saying he prefers to focus on the “inch” that remains rather than what comes after.
Slot understands the deep connection Liverpool fans have with the club. Although his public appearances are limited, he shared small but meaningful encounters with supporters—like fans driving alongside him on the motorway to show their support, or someone requesting a photo during a rare supermarket run.
With one game left to seal a historic achievement, Slot remains focused on preparation and execution. He trusts the team to rise to the occasion once again but is fully aware of football’s unpredictability. For him, nothing is taken for granted even with the title within touching distance.
