Liverpool moved up to fifth in the Premier League after a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur but their title defence is over by Christmas.
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Arne Slot reiterated that Liverpool’s summer rebuild is the reason behind their fluctuating form as the Reds managed to survive an almighty scare against Tottenham Hotspur.
Liverpool had to battle to the wire to earn a 2-1 triumph over nine-man Spurs in the Premier League. After Xavi Simons’ red card in the 33rd minute, the visitors appeared they would ease to victory after goals from Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike in the second half.
Yet Richarlison reduced the deficit with eight minutes remaining. Despite Tottenham captain Cristian Romero being given his marching orders, it was Thomas Frank’s troops in the ascendancy during the dying embers of the North London encounter and Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker had to make a couple of important saves.
The win moved the Reds up to fifth in the Premier League table and one points outside the Champions League qualification places. It is well below many supporters’ expectations at the beginning of the season, though, after Liverpool comfortably won the title last term.
But a significant revamp over the squad in the summer window. Seven players were signed, including Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Ekitike, for a combined fee of around £450 million, while the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz and Luis Diaz departing. Consequently, indifferent results and performances have ensued during the 2025-26 campaign. The Reds find themselves 10 points behind leaders Arsenal at Christmas.
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Slot believes that Liverpool have been ‘as bad as some people have said’. And the Anfield head coach insisted that owners Fenway Sports Group, the firm’s CEO of football Michael Edwards and Reds sporting director Richard Hughes didn’t expect things results to be smooth.
Asked about being just outside the top four, Slot replied: "No, of course we are happy with that but when we started the season, it wasn't as though I was thrilled and completely happy with the top four. We are always aiming for the best possible and after the good start we had, we were disappointed with the run of results we had after it.
"I think you have said, we are now on equal points for the top four but we have done quite well in the Champions League with a difficult draw. I see a lot of teams that hardly have a point but we haven't faced them.
"So I think it has never been as bad as some people have said but it's also true that we are definitely not perfect yet. But we knew this when we made so many changes in the summer, it'd take time.
"Maybe because we won the first five or six games, people thought it was just go so easily but as a club, ownership, Richard, Michael, all the other people knew that change could also come with [fluctuations] different results and that has shown to be true."