Arne Slot Press Conference: Chelsea (H)

Arne Slot addressed the press ahead of Liverpool hosting Chelsea at Anfield, with a persistent injury cloud looming, while also acknowledging the team's underperformance in the Premier League.

With Champions League qualification firmly in their sights, the manager balanced immediate priorities with an honest assessment of recent vulnerabilities.

Slot was forced to address a growing injury list, though he offered some optimism regarding returning personnel. He stopped short of confirming Alexander Isak's full involvement, noting the forward only returned to training on Thursday.

"Alex trained with us again yesterday for the first time. All good. He did parts of it, hopefully he can do parts or everything today and we see how much we are going to use him."

"Alisson not yet, Giorgi today for first time. Mo is very very close like Ali. Ibou had a personal reason for not training on Wednesday but was yesterday and today and Florian was a bit unwell but trained yesterday as well."

Reflecting on recent dropped points and conceding goals on counter attacks against Manchester United, Slot was quick to address the team's structural issues, particularly when defending crosses in a low block.

Admitting his side are not suited to defending with their backs against the wall, he emphasised the need for greater alignment and attacking control.

"In moments we have been vulnerable at counter-attacks. Not like we've conceded loads. At Manchester we conceded two. But that's not the only thing we've been vulnerable at. There are too many we have been at moments, but it would help if we scored more goals."

"Easier to control a game at 1-0 up than 1-0 down or 1-1. It's very clear and obvious where we have to improve, it's something we've tried to address throughout the season with ups and downs and will be something we will look at in the summer, first in the market then the training ground."

Slot also tipped the hat to Chelsea despite their poor run of form, as a mark of respect, noting that it's usually a very tense affair between the two sides.

"Always a difficult game for both teams. Lot of very good individual players, let's hope we have a very good team performance as well. All managers have their own idea about football; they've had three this season. Current manager is closer to what Maresca usually did, so has a very clear identity how they play. Clear what to expect. Usually three centre-backs."

With only 3 more games left to play, Slot wants to end the season on a high and send the players into the break, before the World Cup with some optimism.

"This season has been gone in a way that even if we have three wins and positive performances, I don't think anyone will be positive about the season. It's important we get at least one win over the line which might be enough."

"The positive thing is a few of the players who can be really important for us are either coming back at the weekend or after the weekend. That will help us.Three wins won't silence the criticism."