Slot: 'Every reason to believe I am Liverpool manager next season'; Salah update

'Talks ongoing for new players and I am involved' - Slot on his future

Aston Villa v Liverpool (Friday, 20:00 BST)

Liverpool

Liverpool boss Arne Slot was asked about fans who have questioned his future at Anfield: "I think the world has gone to [a place] where if a manager or a club doesn't have the best season, there is always a debate. That is all around the world, not only at Liverpool. That is the new reality in football.

"It is not up to me to judge the people who judge me. They have every right ot have their opinion.

"This happened 10, 15 years ago as well but [back then] you did it in the pub and not everyone heard it. Now it is probably also in the pub; if I read what they are saying, they must have been drinking a little bit!

"It is more out in the open. I would have been surprised if that was different here at Liverpool."

On if there have been any talks about the plans for next season? "We know where we go on tour. Plans have been made and talks have been ongoing with the club for new players and I am involved in that."

'We have dropped far too many points in away games'

Aston Villa v Liverpool (Friday, 20:00 BST)

Liverpool

Ahead of Liverpool's final away match of the season, manager Arne Slot was asked about the club's performance away from home this season: "It is one of the reasons why we are in the position we are in - and by that I mean we wanted to be doing better. We have dropped far too many points in away games.

"Dropping points in away games mainly happens after European matches and usually in games that we are usually able to win. That has happened far too many times and it is one of the reasons why we have not yet qualified for the Champions League.

"The first challenge is to be fitter and more ready to play after Europe and I think we have progressed in that. Second of all, we have had many times in away games where we were in a good place after 70, 80 minutes, but dropped points in the last phase of the game."

'One of the players who changed his position'

Aston Villa v Liverpool (Friday, 20:00 BST)

Liverpool

Liverpool manager Arne Slot was asked about Andy Robertson who will be playing his final matches as a Red: "He is maybe one of the players that changed that position in to a player that constantly goes up and down.

"We all remember that clip where he starts to press from left-back and ends up on the right wing, and then goes again. I think many, many managers showed that clip to their players, me included, to show the mentality and intensity he plays with.

"He is a great human being. I have experienced that and I think every fan recognises that, whether that is social media posts or in other moments. He always gives his best on and off the pitch. He has been very influential on the pitch and definitely in the dressing room."

Slot gives 'same old answer' on Alisson

Aston Villa v Liverpool (Friday, 20:00 BST)

Liverpool

Liverpool manager Arne Slot was asked about Alisson's future, and if the final two matches of the season could be his last as a Red: "Boring, same old answer. I am reading the same things as you are probably reading but it is not what I would talk about here.

When asked about the fans, who want to know Alisson's future so they can give him a 'big send off': "You can ask as many times as you want and in different ways but my answer will be the same. I think our fans need to support Alisson, no matter if it is his last game or if it was his first game - that is what they have always done. If he is in goal tomorrow or next week, our fans will support him. The same goes for next season."

Injuries, injuries and injuries

Aston Villa v Liverpool (Friday, 20:00 BST)

Liverpool

We are expecting plenty of team news updates from Arne Slot ahead of Liverpool's final away match of the season.

Club legend Alisson - who has been injured since March - will be high on the agenda, especially given that his future with the club is still up in the air. Would a return to action be his final matches as a Red?

Speaking of final matches as a Red, Mohamed Salah is also trying to return to action to say his final gooodbyes to the Liverpool faithful before he leaves the club in the summer. Expect an update from Slot on the Egyptian's condition ahead of tomorrow's trip to the Midlands.

Elsehwere in the squad, expect updates on Florian Wirtz, Ibrahima Konate and Rio Ngumoha. The former was absent against Chelsea, whereas Konate and Ngumoha both came off early in the match.

All eyes on the Champions League

Aston Villa v Liverpool (Friday, 20:00 BST)

Liverpool

Since getting knocked out of the Champions League by holders Paris Saint Germai in April, Arne Slot would have immediately turned their atttention to next season's competition.

Fast forward to present day and the Reds are within touching distance of qualifying for Europe's Premier competition. A victory against Aston Villa is enough to secure their place. A draw or loss will not do, given that sixth-placed Bournemouth are only four points behind the Reds with two matches remaining.

Even if Liverpool fail to win, there is hope that they can still go in to the final match of the season with the Champions League under their belt - but they will have to wait until Tuesday to see how the Cherries fare in their penultimate match against title chasers Manchester City.

If Slot's men can qualify before the final match of the season, there will be a more relaxed atmosphere at Anfield when the Reds close the season out against Brentford on Sunday, 24 May.

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