Slot on 'devastating' Ekitike injury, Gomez's absence & Merseyside derby
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League Merseyside Derby against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium (14:00 BST). Here are the key lines from his news conference: Slot was asked to react to the news Hugo Ekitike will miss the rest of the season and the World Cup with an Achilles injury: "He hasn't been operated yet. Devastating for him, coming to a new club and playing so well with so much more to come from him in the summer.
First thoughts are with him being out for such along time, missing out on so many special moments. But there are so many examples of players who came back even stronger and that's the challenge he has now. " He also confirmed defender Joe Gomez will not be fit for Sunday.
On if he is expecting major changes to the squad in the summer: "The second leg against PSG does show the future does look bright. This team has already shown in other moments they can compete with best in Europe. I don't think in numbers [major chnages], I think in areas and of players we already know will leave.
We are a trading club so let's see what happens in the summer. " More on potential incomings and outgoings: "We know we are changing at least two players, but Kostas [Tsimikas] is coming back. First aim is to see how we react in position of Mo Salah, whether we want to replace with a similar player or do that differently.
At this moment in time there's not a chance of a lot of players leaving. Of course there's Ibou Konate's contract situation. There might not be a need to change a lot if you don't need to bring a lot of players in.