Arne Slot mission statement lays bare the challenge Liverpool face in securing UCL qualification

Arne Slot has starkly declared that Liverpool will need to be ‘close to perfection’ if they’re to secure a place in the Champions League for next season.

Even with fifth in the Premier League likely to ensure qualification for Europe’s premier club competition for 2026/27, the Reds are already four points outside the top five, and it’s not unthinkable that the gap could stretch to six or seven depending on results over the next two nights.

John Aldridge already feels that a top-four finish is beyond the defending champions...