Arne Slot declined to confirm whether Mohamed Salah has already played his last game for Liverpool after the forward posted on X following the defeat by Aston Villa. The post referenced the club’s former attacking approach and called for a return to that identity.

Salah wrote: “That is the identity that needs to be recovered and kept for good. It cannot be negotiable and everyone that joins this club should adapt to it.” The message was widely interpreted as a criticism of the manager’s changes to Liverpool’s style this season and has divided players, supporters and club figures. Ex-Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney went in hard on Salah.

Slot sought to keep focus on the result ahead of Sunday’s home match with Brentford, a game that will determine Liverpool’s Champions League fate. A draw or better will secure qualification, while defeat would leave them vulnerable to being leapfrogged by Bournemouth if the Cherries beat Nottingham Forest. Only goal difference would separate them.

On selection and the fallout from Salah’s comments, Slot said: “I don’t think it is important what I feel,” adding: “What is [important] is we qualify for the Champions League . I prepare Mo and the rest of the team to be ready.” He stressed a shared objective with the forward: “We want the club to be successful.”

Slot also referenced last season’s success and the standards expected this term. “We were both part of giving the fans the title last year and we haven’t brought that same level this year. What we all want is to be the same success as last season. Will he play? I never say anything about team selection, so I won’t do that now. A lot of ifs but we know what we need Sunday.”

Slot suggested the manager-player relationship and training had shown no obvious disruption this week, but he kept team selection private until matchday.

Liverpool endured another heavy defeat on Friday as Aston Villa dismantled them away from home, taking the club to a 20th loss across all competitions this season. That result means Liverpool have matched an unwanted record in the Premier League era, a low only seen once before.

The Reds can still set a new mark when they meet Brentford in the Premier League finale this weekend. A defeat to Brentford would produce a 21st loss and, if it happens, it would be the first time since the 1953-54 campaign that Liverpool have lost more than 20 matches in a single season. In that 1953-54 term Liverpool lost 24 of their 43 games; those results came before organized European competition existed.

The last campaign in which Liverpool lost 20 matches across all competitions was 1992-93 under Graeme Souness. That season began poorly with a defeat in the Community Shield and included a chaotic 4-3 loss to Leeds United at Wembley. Liverpool finished sixth in the Premier League in 1992-93, recorded early exits from both domestic cup competitions and were knocked out of the European Cup Winners’ Cup in the second round.

The 2025-26 season statistics underline how difficult this term has been. The current campaign has produced 56 matches, 28 wins, 8 draws, 20 defeats, 102 goals scored and 80 conceded, yielding a plus 22 goal difference. By comparison, the 1992-93 figures were 55 matches, 20 wins, 15 draws, 20 defeats, 90 goals scored and 79 conceded.

Speculation over the manager’s future continues. It remains to be seen whether Slot will survive such a turbulent campaign, although current indicators point to Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group keeping him in place for the beginning of the 2026-27 campaign at least. The decision is one that the majority of supporters are unhappy about.

Liverpool enter the final day of the Premier League season under pressure after taking one point from the last nine available. They sit fifth on 59 points with a goal difference of +10 and can still seal Champions League qualification with a favourable result at home to Brentford this Sunday.

Bournemouth remain the only side able to catch Liverpool. The Cherries are on 56 points with a goal difference of +4 ahead of their trip to Nottingham Forest. Opta give Liverpool a 99.65% chance of qualifying for the Champions League before the finale, a figure helped by Erling Haaland’s 95th-minute effort in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw between Bournemouth and Manchester City, a game which confirmed Arsenal as the successors to Liverpool as champions.

What Liverpool need is straightforward. A win or a draw at Anfield against Brentford guarantees Champions League qualification. The fixture is also notable for being the club farewell to Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson.

Even a defeat would be unlikely to be decisive. Liverpool’s superior goal difference means Bournemouth would require both a win over Nottingham Forest and a swing of seven goals to overtake the Reds. For example, if Liverpool lost 3-0 to Brentford and Bournemouth beat Forest 4-0, the Cherries would leapfrog Liverpool.

That scenario is remote, but it remains mathematically possible. An even less likely outcome would be a playoff to decide fifth place.

With destiny largely in their own hands, Liverpool go into the final match knowing the simplest routes to the Champions League are a draw or any victory. The numbers make their position comfortable, yet the season still contains a small window for a late twist.