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Slot on Alexander-Arnold and Gomez fitness, Plymouth defeat and Everton

katie stafford - bbc sport journalist
·2-min read

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game at Everton - the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

  • Trent Alexander-Arnold did a partial training session on Monday and will be assessed on his availability after training on Tuesday.

  • Fellow defender Joe Gomez is unavailable, with Slot confirming he has an injury to the same leg he was previously sidelined with.

  • On whether the FA Cup defeat at Plymouth Argyle should inspire a strong Merseyside derby performance: "It should have an impact because if you work at a club like this you should compete for every trophy. To lose against Plymouth is unacceptable. The performance was far from Liverpool's standard."

  • He said it being the last derby at Goodison will be "an extra reason why the atmosphere will be even better than the occasions before", so his players "have to be strong to resist it [the home noise] and stay focused".

  • On how his players will deal with that: "You have to be as calm as you can. It's not the first time for these players to be playing in an atmosphere like this, but you have to stand up to these emotions. I presume our players are ready for another battle like they have been all season."

  • He said he wants to see "cool heads but not cool legs" to match Everton's intensity.

  • On their opponents' form since David Moyes took over: "I am aware of the fact that he has taken charge of four games and won three. That is a great accomplishment and they are in a better place than they were."

  • In response to whether the next block of fixtures will define their season: "No because this period of five games in 15 days is what we have done all season. All stages of the season are crucial. You cannot slow down or a have a few games when you're not on top of the game because teams will catch you. That is why it is the most exciting league. It is the hardest league to win."

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