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Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League game against Wolves at Molineux (kick-off 20:15 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
- Slot expects Florian Wirtz to be back from injury next week: "The game tomorrow is probably too soon and maybe the weekend as well."
- Slot said he has to wrestle with how to manage the fit-again Jeremie Frimpong to balance his body against the significance of games: "We play three games in seven days. Those things you have to take into account, especially with players back from injuries. But we also know the importance of every game. I prefer to have this problem - managing how many minutes I give him than to see him with the medical staff doing recovery."
- On how significant Cody Gakpo's goal was for the forward, whose form has been under scrutiny: "I don't judge them only on the goals they score. Attackers are also judged on if we keep a clean sheet. I know how our attackers think and what they want - to score goals. I was happy - it gave us a more comfortable cushion - but also happy for him to score. I think he needed that goal."
- Asked if Gakpo has lost some confidence, Slot replied: "I don't think his confidence has gone. But a few times recently he made different decisions than I am used to. That doesn't mean a lack of confidence but when a player hasn't scored they start to think more. Overthinking is not the best thing you can do. That's different to confidence - they know they can have a spell without scoring."
- Asked about comparisons made between a red card for Maxence Lacroix for Crystal Palace at Manchester United and a similar incident when Marc Guehi was allowed to stay on for Manchester City at Anfield, Slot said: "The only difference is Mo Salah is pulled by the shirt by Guehi and Lacroix is a hand on the shoulder. The moment I saw it, knowing what happened with us, VAR is checking if it's a penalty or inside the box, but will never give a red card for this. Surprisingly, it was a red card."
- Slot said VAR often cites a lack of mistakes across a season but, in his view, inconsistencies between decisions are like mistakes themselves. He added: "We have to make sure we don't depend on these decisions. We have to play our game and be so good. Sometimes decisions go against you and you have to make sure it doesn't hurt you."
- The Liverpool boss was asked about the changing nature of the Premier League, with set-pieces and entertainment value becoming a hot topic: "When I watch other leagues, I don't think there's so much emphasis on set-pieces. Do I like it? My football heart doesn't like it. Now, most of the games I see in the Premier League are not a joy to watch. But it is always interesting as it is so competitive and everyone can beat everyone."
- More on this: "As someone who just loves to watch football, to be enjoyed, I think there's a difference now to three or four years ago. Not only the set-pieces, also because teams are so much stronger. If you go to a kids' game, amateur football, I wouldn't be surprised if you saw kids focused on set-pieces. That's the reality. I have my opinion on it, but it doesn't change."
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