Arne Slot accepts Liverpool finishing the season with three successive wins will not silence the criticism that has come his way as the Reds have endured a disappointing campaign that will end trophy-less.

Having won the Premier League at a canter in his first season in charge, there were huge expectations surrounding Slot’s Liverpool side this term after the club spent £446million reinforcing the squad.

Liverpool brought in Alexander Isak for a British record £125m from Newcastle United after a protracted transfer saga, having also signed Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for £100m. Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool’s most impactful acquisition, signed from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth up to £82.4m.

But the changes have seen Liverpool take a step back this season, with the Reds failing to get beyond the quarter-finals of any cup competition, exiting the FA Cup and Champions League in the last eight, and producing inconsistent form in the Premier League that has left them well off the pace of title contenders Arsenal and Manchester City.

Liverpool are fourth with three games to play and still not sure of Champions League qualification. They have a six-point edge over sixth-placed Bournemouth in the race for the top five and will secure their spot if they beat Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday.

Liverpool boss concedes three wins not enough to cease scrutiny

Slot’s men face a tricky end to the season, with the game against Chelsea followed up by a trip to fifth-placed Europa League finalists Aston Villa before hosting another European contender in Brentford on the final day.

Liverpool will hope to finish with momentum by winning each of those games, but Slot understands that scrutiny will remain even if they achieve that feat.

“Three wins won’t silence the criticism,” Slot told a pre-match press conference.

“Therefore we need to have a much longer run of results and performances. That is not where we are focused on now, the focus is on three more games. Next season will also be different in terms of personnel.”

Asked if he expects next season to be another transition year, Slot replied: “I’m only looking forward to it so I’m not worried at all. As I looked forward to working with these players two years ago and one year ago, to look forward to the players I am working with now. 

“As a manager you’re never worried, you’re just looking forward to working with players. There will probably be another little transition but not as drastic as last summer. We have to change personnel because of the two players who are leaving. One player probably replaced by Kostas Tsimikas who is coming back off loan. I am only looking forward to starting again next season.”

Isak back in training for Liverpool

One issue Slot has had to deal with all season is the fitness of Isak, who has missed much of his first campaign at Anfield with a broken leg and was unavailable for the 3-2 defeat to Manchester United last Sunday because of a groin problem.

Mohamed Salah, who will leave the club at the end of the season, has seen his farewell tour hampered by a hamstring injury, his absence exacerbating that of Ekitike, who is sidelined by a ruptured Achilles that will keep him out for several months and see the France forward miss the World Cup.

The Reds are also down to the their third-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman due to injuries to Alisson (muscle) and Giorgi Mamardashvili (knee).

But there is optimism Isak, who has scored only four goals for Liverpool since his move, will be available to face Chelsea.

“Alex has trained with us again, only for the first time, yesterday,” Slot said. “So that is a positive, yesterday he did parts of it [training]. Hopefully he can do parts or all of it today. Then we will see how much we can use him tomorrow. 

“Alisson not yet, hasn’t trained with us yet but very close. Mamardashvili will train with us today for the first time, so let’s see how he is going to react.

“Mo also hasn’t trained with us yet but is also getting very, very close to train with us.”

Defender Ibrahima Konate and Wirtz have missed some training this week, with Slot explaining: “Ibou had a personal reason not to be there [training on Wednesday] but was yesterday and today again and Florian was a bit unwell but he trained with us yesterday also.”