Arne Slot comes out fighting as he responds to speculation over Liverpool job

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They still require three more points from their remaining two fixtures to guarantee a top-five finish and Champions League qualification, despite bringing in a club-record £450million worth of talent last summer.Slot has been repeatedly subjected to fierce abuse on social media, while the Anfield faithful have also voiced their frustration, with his side jeered off the pitch on multiple occasions at home this term.The Dutchman was booed during last weekend's 1-1 stalemate with Chelsea following his decision to withdraw Rio Ngumoha midway through the second period, though it subsequently emerged the 17 year old had indicated he wished to come off due to cramp, reports the Liverpool Echo.READ MORE: Liverpool injury news and return dates as Florian Wirtz and Mohamed Salah updates givenREAD MORE: Michael Carrick nominated for Premier League Manager of the Year with Man Utd job offer expectedHaving previously acknowledged he accepts such criticism, Slot remains unwavering in his commitment to continuing as Liverpool manager and his conviction that circumstances will significantly improve next season."I have always wanted to carry on and I have never once thought what you are suggesting because, as I have said many times, I think this club is in a much better place next season than this season because of what I have already said 150 times," he said."Even this season there was a lot to play for. 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.

So 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."I think 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."Slot, speaking on Thursday ahead of Liverpool's Premier League trip to fifth-placed Aston Villa on Friday, insisted he had no grounds to doubt he would remain head coach next season and was already involved in transfer discussions for the upcoming window.Expanding on the point, he said: "I don't know how I have to say this in English perfectly but there is no reason to think that it is not going to be the situation."It is all about you guys who are talking about this and probably social media even more. I don't know how I have to describe it in the perfect way."Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content.