Slot on Isak's return, the spotlight on Salah & Man City
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium (12:45 BST). Here are the key lines from his news conference: Slot confirmed Mohamed Salah is fit and available to start in what would be his first appearance since announcing he will leave the club at the end of the season. Goalkeeper Alisson is set to miss the tie against Paris St-Germain in the Champions League and be out until "towards the end of the season", while Jeremie Frimpong "trained with us and seems to be OK".
Alexander Isak returned to training this week and could play "maybe a few minutes" on Saturday but the game comes "too soon" for him to start: "It will take a bit of time to give him a lot of minutes but we will make sure we do the right thing to build him up. It is a good thing to have him on the training ground, even better to get him on the pitch. " More on record signing Isak's return: "Rehab did a great job, I see a player much stronger, in a better place but 100 days off to the intensity of the Premier League and Champions League, what is realistic to expect is difficult.
I am happy I have a nine available again behind Hugo [Ekitike] or together with him, that's already a positive. I said many times, when he's had a proper pre-season, we can expect more for him but what we have now is already a big step forward. " On Salah: "Mo has always given everything he's got for this club.
I would hope he could give even more but that's not realistic because he's always done that and he will try to do that until the end of the season. " On facing City after losing twice against them in the league: "I think we have felt this season multiple times how important it is to get a lead, we have struggled with that. It's much easier than being 1 or 2-0 up.
Scoring goals is vital, so I am happy Alex is back. We have more fans than normal because it is FA Cup and I wouldn't be surprised if we're louder than them! " More on the Reds' inconsistency: "We've shown we have quality players but the amount of games is the biggest issue, so it is interesting to see where we are.