Arne Slot isn't sugar-coating it. The Liverpool manager has delivered a blunt assessment of his team's season, admitting that even a strong finish won't change the narrative around a campaign that has fallen well short of expectations.

"No one will be positive about the season," Slot stated, acknowledging that three wins to close out the year won't alter the overall perception. The Reds, who entered the season as reigning champions, have surrendered their crown and are now fighting simply to secure a UEFA Champions League spot—a goal that seemed uncertain just weeks ago.

Liverpool's final stretch won't be easy. They face three teams in the top nine, starting with a struggling Chelsea side, followed by Aston Villa and Brentford. Before their disappointing loss to Manchester United last week, the Reds had strung together three consecutive victories. Repeating that run would give them six wins from their last seven matches—a respectable finish, but not enough to salvage the season's reputation.

The mid-season slump that saw Liverpool plummet down the table and exit the title race has been the defining story. Despite a massive £400 million-plus investment in a squad that already had title-winning pedigree, several marquee signings—including Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz—have either underperformed or struggled with injuries and form.

"This season has been gone in a way that even if we have three wins and positive performances, I don't think anyone will be positive about it," Slot explained. "Three wins won't silence the criticism. Therefore we need to have a much longer run of results and performances."

There is a glimmer of hope, however. Slot noted that key players are returning from injury, which could provide a much-needed boost. "A few of the players who can be really important for us are either coming back at the weekend or after the weekend. That will help us."

For Liverpool fans, this season has been a bitter pill to swallow after the highs of their title triumph. But with Champions League qualification still within reach and reinforcements on the horizon, the focus now shifts to building momentum for the next campaign—and proving that this disappointing chapter is just a temporary setback.