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Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium (kick-off 17:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
- Slot expects a similar squad to be available to that which travelled midweek, but they will have to "wait and see" on the fitness of Federico Chiesa.
- He added conversations between him and Ibrahima Konate, whose father died this week, will stay private but it is "very obvious that the player needs time to be there for his family and also time for himself".
- On whether a Premier League return against a team he has a goodscoring record against will be good for Mohamed Salah: "Mo has scored a lot of goals against any team in the Premier League. Mo played 90 minutes and [on Thursday] we had a recovery session, we trained today and knowing Mo he is ready to play tomorrow. But he, like all the others, have a training session to go and then I will decide on the line-up."
- The Reds boss said it is "hard to predict the future" with potential for player injuries, but they are a "very competitive team against any team in the world" and he has the confidence they can secure a top-four spot in the Premier League.
- After another clean sheet this week, Slot feels their defensive improvements are "clear for everyone to see" and added: "Alisson had a great save. Two in the first half and another in the second half [against Marseille]. We know we have one of the best goalkeepers in the world."
- On former Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez: "He is getting stronger and stronger in my opinion. It was a moment to give him that game during the week as well and he did really well in Marseille. If you look at each of our signings, they won't only be better this second half of the season but they'll be better next season and better the season afterwards. That is the way this club is run."
- Asked whether he expects many more incomings or outgoings before the end of the window, Slot responded: "At this moment in time, I expect it to stay mainly the same."
Follow all of Friday’s Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day’s football news
Listen to full commentary of Bournemouth v Liverpool on Saturday from 17:30 GMT on BBC Sounds
