Liverpool head into Friday's trip to Aston Villa in fourth place, in need of a win to guarantee Champions League qualification. A 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Anfield last weekend brought audible discontent from sections of the home support.
With Xabi Alonso available and Chelsea said to be in talks with the Liverpool legend, the speculation around Slot's future has intensified in the final fortnight of the season.
Slot was asked to address it directly at his pre-match press conference.
"I don't think I am deciding that myself alone. But I have every reason to believe that I am the Liverpool manager next season. First of all, I am contracted to this club, and second of all, from all the talks we are having. Plans have been made for next season and talks have been ongoing between the club and new players, and I am involved in that."
He acknowledged the season has fallen short of the standard set by last year's title.
"If a manager or a club doesn't have their best season, there is always debate about that. It is not only at Liverpool. It is all around the world. That is the new reality in football. It is not up to me to judge the people who judge me. They have every right to have their opinion."
On the volume and tone of the criticism.
"In this modern time, everyone can share their opinion. This happened ten or fifteen years ago, but then you did it in the pub and not everyone heard it. Now it is also done in a pub. From what I am reading, they must have drunk a little bit. That is a joke. But now it is much more out in the open."
It is understood Liverpool have no intention of making a managerial change and have not approached Alonso. Reports indicate Slot is not under pressure to be sacked, with the club having assessed the season as one of transition following the departures of several key players including Mohamed Salah. A sacking would also require around £9.5 million in compensation under the terms of his contract, which runs to 2027.
Liverpool have lost 18 matches across all competitions this season — the highest total in the Premier League era for the club. Mohamed Salah, who joined Saudi side Al-Qadsiah last summer, is available for a brief cameo on Friday after recovering from injury. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker remains unavailable, with reports circulating about his future amid claims of advanced talks with Juventus.
A win at Villa Park would secure Liverpool's top-five place and end the season on a note of relief rather than crisis.