Slot on Alexander-Arnold injury, a possible quadruple and McConnell
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Sunday's FA Cup game against Plymouth Argyle (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Trent Alexander-Arnold remains unavailable this weekend and it is "difficult to say" whether or not he will be back for the Merseyside derby next week. He added: "We don't want to take any risks, especially with so many games coming up afterwards. If he is fit then we will use him."
He praised the quality in his squad, after being able to rely on Conor Bradley to step in at right-back in Alexander Arnold's absence against Tottenham on Thursday: "For many positions, we have two very good players. I could go through the whole team telling you this. It's normal for a club of this magnitude to have more than 11 good players, and the right full-back position is definitely an example of that."
Midfielder Tyler Morton has picked up a shoulder injury and will be out for four weeks or maybe even longer.
On the decision to not loan out 20-year-old James McConnell for the rest of the season, he explained: "I see him on the training pitch competing with all our other midfielders. He always gives everything he has and Tyler Morton is out with an injury for a while, so that means he is taking that position for the upcoming weeks."
Liverpool are still fighting on all four fronts so he will "definitely use some players that haven't played that much" for Sunday's FA Cup tie.
He believes it is a good opportunity for some players to get more minutes in their legs: "If you never play them then it is so difficult for them to be ready, if we do get some injuries or suspensions."
The Reds "want to be competing for every trophy" this season, so he will not "complain" about the number of games they are going to have to play. He added: "I don't see a disadvantage. We probably play Sunday-Wednesday-Sunday - and Aston Villa will probably do the same. It is what it is."
When asked whether his side can push for an unprecedented quadruple this season, he replied: "We are in a very good place. I'm not just talking about the results, but the players are fit and ready."
He is aware of "how long the season still is" and is expecting "many difficult challenges" to come their way, but the aim is to "do everything to win every single football match" for the rest of the campaign.
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