Liverpool manager Arne Slot addressed the club’s Champions League qualification, delivered a candid season review, and praised the emotional send-off given to departing legends Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah during a press conference at Anfield.

With two points needed to secure a top-five finish, the Reds battled to a 1-1 draw against Brentford on the final day of the 2025-26 Premier League season. Curtis Jones’ 88th-minute goal was controversially ruled out by VAR, but the point proved sufficient to edge Liverpool into fifth place ahead of rivals Manchester United.

The match itself was overshadowed by the final appearances of Robertson and Salah, both of whom played their last games for the club in front of a roaring Anfield crowd. Their emotional exits capped a season marked by resilience amid persistent injuries and a string of narrow defeats.

Match analysis and season reflections

On the narrow escape to Champions League football…

It was yet another game where we didn’t get what we deserved. We were unlucky not to win—again. Time and again this season, we’ve created chances only to see them go begging. On Sunday, we could have lost in stoppage time; Brentford nearly scored from a header in the 100th minute. Time and again, those chances have found the back of the net for our opponents. This time, they didn’t.

We dominated the first half, but within minutes of the break, they had their first real chance. That’s a theme we’ve discussed all season: our inability to finish games. The pressure is relentless in this league, and we’re still learning how to handle it.

Season review: pride despite the challenges

On qualifying for Europe’s elite competition…

We came here today knowing our primary objective was to secure Champions League football. Looking at the standings, you’ll see that even the biggest clubs have struggled to qualify in recent seasons. No one should take their place for granted, but we wanted more. Still, I’m proud of what this squad has achieved. This season has been the most difficult I can recall, with injuries piling up and key players missing at critical moments.

Qualifying in fifth place is the bare minimum when you consider the expectations at Liverpool, but it’s what we managed. We lost to Manchester City away, fell to Paris Saint-Germain in Europe for the second straight year, and were knocked out in competitions where other teams progressed. Still, given the circumstances, securing Champions League football is a relief. We’ll enter next season with a clear goal: go further than fifth.

A fitting farewell to legends

On the supporters’ tribute to Robertson and Salah…

That’s Liverpool Football Club for you. When our fans decide to celebrate someone, they do it in style. Robertson and Salah gave us nine trophies in nine years—two players who defined an era. Today was emotional for them, of course, but the fans made sure it was special. This club knows how to honour its legends, whether they’re champions or leaving with dignity.

Could things have been different this season?

Absolutely. We weren’t perfect—that’s not realistic in football. Even in the season we won the title, we weren’t flawless. Every decision I made was driven by preparation, not impulse. Of course, not every choice pays off, and I won’t claim otherwise. But I stand by every call because, at the time, it felt like the right thing to do.

The biggest takeaway from this season? The word is ‘injuries.’ We were hit harder than any team, and that’s reflected in our results. For the first time this season, not a single Academy graduate made the bench against Brentford. That’s how thin our squad has been. Still, we fought through it—and secured our Champions League spot.