Manager Arne Slot admitted this has been his toughest season to date as a coach, with his inconsistent Liverpool side battling to seal UEFA Champions League qualification less than a year after coasting to the English Premier League (EPL) title.

The Reds lost their most recent EPL encounter 1-2 to rivals Manchester City, further ramping up the pressure on the Dutch coach, who is hoping they can rebound from that result in style when they host Sunderland on Wednesday.