Arne Slot issues blunt admission about Liverpool's disappointing season

Liverpool are set to lose Mohamed Salah this summer -Credit:Michael Regan, Getty Images

However, a mid-season slump, which saw them plummet down the league and exit the title race, has rendered their campaign disappointing, and Slot recognizes that perception won't shift in most people's minds.

He said: "This season has been gone in a way that even if we have three wins and positive performances, I don't think anyone will be positive about the season. It's important we get at least one win over the line which might be enough.

"We are trying to do it in the best possible way, performance-wise. The positive thing is a few of the players who can be really important for us are either coming back at the weekend or after the weekend. That will help us.Three wins won't silence the criticism. Therefore we need to have a much longer run of result and performances."

Liverpool's season has proven all the more deflating given the £400 ($545) million-plus investment they poured into a squad that had already secured the title. Several of their headline signings have either fallen short of expectations or battled issues with form and fitness — Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz among them.

Yet Slot believes his side have deserved better returns than they received. "The performances, clearly in the Premier League, we didn't pick up the points we should have," said the Dutchman. "We haven't had a very good season in the Premier League but we've played better and not got the points we should have."

Despite the enormous outlay last summer, Slot acknowledges they will return to the transfer market, though he insists the overhaul will not be "as drastic" as it was 12 months ago. "There will be a bit of transition this summer but not as drastic as last summer," he said.