Arne Slot maintains he never considered quitting as Liverpool manager after a tough Premier League title defence and widespread criticism.
Fans at Anfield have booed Slot’s team numerous times this year but they can confirm Champions League qualification with a win at Aston Villa on Friday night.
Slot said on Thursday he has ‘every reason to believe’ he will lead Liverpool into next season and admits his biggest learning this season has been how to deal with negative noise.
Asked if he ever considered walking away, Slot said: ‘I have always wanted to carry on and I have never once thought (that) because, as I have said many times, I think this club is in a much better place next season than this.
‘Even this season there was a lot to play for. Two months ago we lost to Paris Saint-Germain and City and that was the first time we were not able to win anything anymore. But we can still “win” qualification for the Champions League.
‘It is the first time in my career that I am not in the end playing for a trophy. Only once I didn’t win something, so now it is going to be the second year. That is going to be a bit new.’
It will be only the second time in Arne Slot’s managerial career that he has not won a trophy
Mohamed Salah is in line to return to the squad as he prepares to say goodbye to Liverpool
Asked how he deals with criticism, he said: ‘I always have to ask myself, “How old am I exactly?” I think I am 47! So I am not 12 anymore.
‘I have been playing professional football since I was 16, maybe not at the level I am at here now, but I am used to the fact that people sometimes think you are a very good football player and sometimes don’t like you so much. It is the same as a manager.
‘We are all so used to positive and negative criticism that if you are not able to handle that, you will never end up at a club like this. That is also one of the things I have learned this season: that I can handle criticism quite well.
‘I don’t act differently. I can have a clear mind and do the things I want to do.’
Earlier, Slot had said on his future: ‘I don’t think I am deciding alone by myself, but I have every reason to believe I am the Liverpool manager next season.
‘First of all, I am contracted to this club and second of all from all the talks we are having. That is my take on it.
‘But if you don’t have the best season, especially if you compare with last season – if you compare it with other seasons you might have a different debate – this has definitely not been a great season. Then it is also normal that criticism comes.’
Liverpool go to Villa Park tonight with Mohamed Salah in line to return to the squad for the penultimate time after a hamstring injury – though he is unlikely to start. Goalkeeper Alisson remains a doubt, as does Florian Wirtz who has had a stomach bug and is on antibiotics.
Ibrahima Konate, though, is fine after limping off injured in last week’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea.
The Reds will play the club they loaned Harvey Elliott to, with a £35million obligation to buy only triggered with 10 league appearances. The English midfielder, who won player of the tournament at the Under 21 European Championship last summer, has not reached that tally.
Liverpool are planning to welcome back the promising 23-year-old, who made 149 appearances for them, for pre-season after a write-off of a season under Unai Emery.
