Good morning and welcome to the ECHO's coverage of Arne Slot's press conference to preview Liverpool's trip to AFC Bournemouth.
The Reds' attentions turn to the Premier League again after their European commitments in midweek. They were beaten 3-2 by PSV Eindhoven in the final game of the Champions League league phase on Wednesday, although Slot fielded a much-changed line-up with qualification secured.
It means a number of the squad's key players will be well rested as Liverpool look to extend their lead at the top of the table. With Arsenal not in action until Sunday against Manchester City, the Reds could be nine points clear at the summit come the end of Saturday's games.
A win looks far from straightforward against a red-hot Bournemouth team, though. The Cherries have been in blistering form as of late and smashed Nottingham Forest 5-0 last time out; they have also beaten Arsenal and Manchester City on home soil this season.
Slot is set to provide a fitness update on a number of players ahead of the game, while the Liverpool boss will no doubt be asked about transfers with the mid-season deadline set to pass on Monday night.
The press conference is due to get underway at 11 a.m. (GMT). Paul Gorst and Theo Squires will be in place to provide build-up, updates and reaction.
Slot on Salah
Arne Slot has reiterated Liverpool's hope of tying down Mohamed Salah to a new contract at Anfield, saying he is not surprised to hear of interest from the Saudi Pro League. Salah is inside the final six months of his contract and is free to speak to clubs outside of England about joining as a free agent at the end of the campaign.
Slot on McConnell and Danns loans
These are ongoing discussions. You know how it is, yesterday can be different from today and tomorrow. If I leave the training pitch and we have three injuries, it's going to be a different answer. These decisions will be pushed to end of window.
Slot on resting players and competing with Bournemouth
If you look at our season, after every three, four or five weeks we've tried to creare a moment where Virgil and the others don't play a game.
IF you can't compete with Bournemouth in that aspect, you need luck to win the game or a special moment. If we're able to compete with them on a physical level then the margins for us go up a level. I think we can compete with them.
Slot on Gomez, Jota and Nunez
All three are training today. We have 20 players available. We have to make the smartest decision for them and to win the game tomorrow.
Slot on Trent, Mo and Van Dijk
I speak to them a lot. It would be ridiculous if we had never spoken about the future. But that is not something I am going to discuss with you. It is not only with the three who are out of contract. It's a non-stop process talking to your players.
Slot on Richard Hughes
I speak to him before every game. We almost speak on a daily basis. I asked him a few things on Bournemouth. We have very good people who analyse Bournemouth, I have been doing this myself. The more info you can get, the better it is. My relationship with him is very good, from start until now.
Slot on Szoboszlai
You can never set the bar too high. But he meant he played some really good games. If you played 60 games at a certain level, you can always go a bit lower but not too far. This season he has been very consisten in his work-rate. It's one of the reasons why we do well. It's what stands out to me from him, compared to many others, to run such an intensity and keep on running. He is involved in more dangerous situations and that is something he deserves. I've always felt it was a matter of time before he scores goals and gets assists. He should set the standards high because he can hit the standards.
Slot on Chiesa
He's ready for more minutes. If he can play 90 at CL, you can play PL. His main problem is he is competition with Diaz, Gakpo, Nunez, Salah and Jota. They are doing very well as well. A big compliment to him how hard he worked.
Slot on rotation
I was pleased with how they played. We were competitive even with so many young players on the pitch. Those that stayed behind didn't rest. They trained. It doesn't give us any guarantees for Saturday. Hopefully that will help them stay fresh.
More on Bournemouth
He is one of the many examples where Richard deserves credit. But not just Richard, their manager as well. You need quality and that is what Richard and his successor brought there. The manager has done a fantastic result.
Justin is a great talent. Good to see for us because he left Holland quite young. He is only 24 and at this level already. He will play another big talent who has grown up at Ajax in Ryan Gravenberch. Interesting match-up.
Slot on Bournemouth
It's a big one. I knew this already when we played the second half in the home game. We were 3-0 up at HT but they kept on going at us. That showed me the character. Since then they have been outstanding.
His players work incredibly hard. In a different way to Arsenal, they are a threat at set-pieces. Maybe they deserve higher than the position they are at the moment.
Slot on Salah going to Saudi
It would be a surprise if anyone said they didn't want Mo Salah! He has done so well for so many years and he has done so well without my advice so he can keep doing what is best for his career. My advice is different to the one you just mentioned (Saudi sports minister). I am not surprised someone wants him. He has done so many smart things in his career, so he will make the right decision for him and hopefully us in his career."
Slot on ref abuse
We all have a responsibility when it comes to this, we are aware of that. We have not always been perfect examples but we try to be. The good thing in this country is every atmosphere is fantastic, not always that in other countries, England is the first country that has [crowd issues] under control so maybe they can do this now with the referees. Social media thing is something we are all aware of and hopefully we can get this in a way where the abuse is not there anymore."
Morning everyone
I'm in place at the AXA Training Centre, ready and waiting for Arne Slot's arrival.
He sat down with Richard Hughes to hold transfer talks about who could still leave Liverpool on loan before the transfer window closes. Wonder if we'll get a little update from the Dutchman today.
Gomez and Jota latest
It will be interesting to see where about Joe Gomez and Diogo Jota are up to in their respective recoveries.
We know Gomez featured as part of the open training on Tuesday but that is very much a light workout for the cameras. He suffered a hamstring injury a month ago now at West Ham but hopefully we hear some positive updates from Slot.
And with Jota, the head coach said it was "weeks not months" recently when asked about the No20. He's once again suffered an injury hit campaign and he's barely been able to contribute since October. Those vitally important goals against Fulham and Forest, aside, it's been a frustrating few months for the Portugal international.
Morning all
Good morning and welcome to te AXA Training Centre, where we will be hearing from Arne Slot at 11am.
A few things on the agenda for the Liverpool boss today, and it feels like a huge weekend in the Premier League title race as high-flying Bournemouth are visited before Arsenal entertain Manchester City.
Stick with us for all the updates, live from the Kirkby base.
Welcome, Reds!
It's almost time for another Slot press conference - and there's plenty to discuss for the Liverpool head coach.
Stick with us for live updates throughout the morning!
