Arne Slot says he still feels the need to prove himself as the year anniversary of Liverpool winning the league passed this week.
It has been a tough title defence for the Reds and they will go trophyless in other competitions but the season could end with a positive slant as a win at Old Trafford would take them to third.
Despite being crowned champions of England this time last year, Slot says he still feels the need to prove his credentials.
‘We as a team still have something to prove and I am part of the team, so that means I have something to prove as well,’ he said.
‘That is the football world, every day we have something to prove. But it is up to others to judge if a quarter-final place in the Champions League has been good or bad. Losing to PSG twice in a row… they are the best team in Europe in my opinion.
‘Is it a reality to go through the league and the cups having the amount of players we have (out injured). I have a certain opinion about that and the way I say it gives you an impression of how I feel about it but I haven’t said it!
‘Do I have to prove myself as Virgil (Van Dijk) does? Yes he has proven himself as one of the best and Mo (Salah) and we all have to prove ourselves but we’ve already shown in the past what we’re able to do.
Arne Slot takes Liverpool to Old Trafford on Sunday knowing a win would see them leapfrog Manchester United and go third
‘It doesn’t mean that is enough to keep playing every three days or stay in your job.
‘If a player won the last five Premier League (titles), he needs to show up every week to stay in the team. That is how this industry works, so we – and I am part of “we” – have to prove ourselves the week after and the week after. It just goes on and on.’
Slot insists this season has been hard – but not because of the criticism he has faced. He added: ‘It hasn’t been hard because of criticism, that is not what makes this job. What makes it hard is trying to win the next game with so many players unavailable. That is hard.
‘But that you get criticised in a job like this, that is not hard. I get to hear a few things but if I say I hear 10 per cent of what has been said I would say that has been a lot.
‘That is how it constantly works… I saw a team last week who were 2-0 up and they had two misplaced passes. The fans were cheering because they were 2-0 up.
‘So if you win every decision you make is perfect and, “Ah great, well done”. When we start to lose – which we have done more than I, the fans and everyone at Liverpool would like – there is criticism.’
