Slot rejects Ajax approach and vows to fix Liverpool after turbulent second season

Arne Slot rejected an approach from Ajax during the season and is determined to rebuild Liverpool after a sharp drop from their 2024-25 Premier League title-winning campaign, according to The Telegraph. FSG opted to retain the Dutch coach despite widespread calls for his dismissal, with Liverpool securing Champions League football only on the final day of the season after suffering 19 defeats across all competitions.

Slot has been candid about the reasons for the decline, pointing specifically to the loss of Mohamed Salah and a failure to replicate the winger-full-back combinations that defined their title-winning style. “Last season, one of the reasons why we were so difficult to play against was because we had threats over on the right side, on the left side,” he said. “We have tried that this season again but there hasn’t been the end product that we had last season. That is not to say it is only about them. We all – me included – didn’t bring the same level.”

With Salah’s departure confirmed, Slot has identified at least one winger as a priority in the summer transfer window. “One of the reasons why everyone is talking about wingers is because Mo is leaving,” he said. “It makes complete sense to think about at least one. I think last season gives you the answer because of how important our wingers were to our success last season. They were scoring goals, providing goals, so they were a vital part of us winning the league.”

The possibility of Chelsea appointing Xabi Alonso as their new manager has also closed off one potential alternative Liverpool could have considered, narrowing the options for FSG had they chosen to make a change. Instead, the club’s hierarchy have publicly committed to Slot heading into the summer.

Slot’s decision to turn down Ajax — a club he managed before joining Liverpool — underlines his intention to see the project through at Anfield. The coming transfer window will be a significant test of whether the club can provide the squad reinforcements needed to restore the level of the previous campaign.