Arne Slot makes bold prediction for next season and hits back at Liverpool 'doubts'
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The Reds' sole objective now will be securing Champions League qualification, with Slot's side holding a four-point cushion in fifth position ahead of their pursuers, which includes Everton, who sit a further point behind.READ MORE: Arne Slot names 'first aim' of Liverpool summer transfers with two additions already confirmedREAD MORE: Everton chairman 'kicked' Liverpool icons out of stadium after late dramaDavid Moyes's team thrashed Chelsea 3-0 in their most recent home fixture, with many Liverpool fans anticipating a stern test of their side's physical and aerial prowess.However, Slot has rejected suggestions that the Reds may lack the stomach for a fight against their rivals and said (as per the Liverpool Echo): "If it's true, would these same people have doubted how we would have performed against Paris Saint-Germain? Would they have thought they (PSG) are going to run over us and it's going to be ridiculous?"Then they saw a team that competed as hard as it did and worked as hard as it did."I cannot change the height of my players, so that's the first thing, but I think my players have shown throughout this season after all the setbacks we've had – and we have had a lot – that they were able to compete again."Arne Slot and Virgil van Dijk after PSG knocked Liverpool out of the Champions League.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Liverpool's character has been questioned at various points this season, most notably when Virgil van Dijk claimed the side had "given up" during the humiliating 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester City earlier this month.However, Slot responded: "Now maybe there is a complete focus on that 20 minutes against City who, by the way, did the same thing at Stamford Bridge a week later when scoring three goals in 15 minutes."But I look at it that I've seen my team work hard every single game.
"I see a difference, in a positive way."If you saw what Florian was able to do in his third game in seven days (against PSG on Tuesday) and you compare that to the start of the season and my first thought is then always Brentford (away) after we played Eintracht Frankfurt away. And I can factor in even more things to this season.Arne Slot has predicted Liverpool will improve next season"The main thing is how we were able to compete against Paris Saint-Germain after only being two days off, with them being rested for a week, how we have been able to compete against the other quarter-finalists here at home."Then you see that with doing the right things in the summer and not being as unlucky as we were this season, we can have a better season."Slot added: "I think people only start to believe when they are seeing it.
That means results, for now, and for next season when they are seeing the team, although I think the belief was really there last summer when we signed a few players."That's usually what comes with a few signings, people get very excited by that. People usually first want to see it, and that's what we need to do after the summer."