Arne Slot insists he knows where Liverpool must improve if they are to get back to their best next season, after they suffered another demoralising defeat to Manchester United.

Kobbie Mainoo scored the decisive goal as United clinched a top-five Premier League finish with a 3-2 victory at Old Trafford, where Liverpool had fought back from 2-0 down to get level at 2-2. 

Liverpool still need a maximum of four points to ensure their own place in the Champions League next season, with games against Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford remaining.

The Reds have now suffered 18 defeats in all competitions this season, only losing more on three occasions since their last campaign outside the top-flight in 1961-62 – They lost 20 games in 1992-93, 19 in 2004-05 and 19 in 2009-10.

That is despite a £400m spending spree bringing Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and others to Anfield following their 2024-25 title-winning campaign, with some supporters now openly questioning Slot's future.

But the Dutchman is certain he can make the required changes ahead of 2026-27, with Liverpool facing a big summer as club icons Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson depart. 

"The margins are not so big to us being able to win a game like this," Slot told Sky Sports. "I know what we can improve on, and we are already working hard on this. 

"The same issues keep coming back, which is not a huge surprise, as you don't have long to fix them during the season. 

"Tactically, you can change certain things, but for me, it is clear where we have to improve, and we will."

Liverpool have lost home and away to United for the first time since 2015-16, while this is only the second time they have done so against both Manchester clubs in a single league campaign, after 1912-13.

"I don't think anyone expected us to lose that game after getting to 2-2," Slot added. "Or maybe you did, if you watched the whole of our season!

"As I've said so many times this season, when we are playing well, or we think we are able to win it, we switch off. The ball fell to Mainoo, and it was a great finish for them."

Midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, who profited from a loose Amad Diallo pass to score Liverpool's first goal, was unwilling to discuss 2026-27 in too much depth, with Champions League football still not secured.

"First, I don't focus on next season," the Hungary international said. 

"I will focus on these three games because we have a lot of things to achieve. We want to play in the Champions League, because Liverpool belongs there. 

"We will see what happens in the future. Hopefully, this team can stay together as much as possible. From there on, we will see."