Liverpool

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Carabao Cup third-round tie at home to West Ham (20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Slot confirmed Caoimhin Kelleher will start in goal on Wednesday and he is looking at Saturday's trip to Wolves as a possible return from injury for Alisson although it will be "tight" for the Brazil goalkeeper.

• He was impressed by Kelleher's display in Saturday's win over Bournemouth: "I wasn't surprised at all at his performance. He was very good in pre-season. It was pleasing to see he kept a clean sheet. He had to act a few times but he did it really well."

• Slot hinted at rotating his team: "We will play with the best possible team, which means that players who are a bit more tired from playing a lot might mean I select different players. They will come in today and I'll make the decision."

• Federico Chiesa is fit to start but not to play the full 90 minutes: "He's able to start in our opinion and if he does there are many options we have. He's able to start but he's not able to play 90 at the level we are playing tomorrow against a strong West Ham team."

• On 17-year-old midfielder Trey Nyoni: "Let's see first how everyone comes in this morning and then we'll make a plan for every individual. They way I look at it now there will be a fair chance for him to be in our squad rather than the under-21s."

• On the importance of the Carabao Cup: "It's not only fans who like winning trophies - players and managers do too. It is always nice to win something and I know in the history of the club they have won this trophy many times, including last season in a very special way with a lot of youngsters on the pitch."

• On the Hammers: "Tough start but they've faced some strong opponents. I've seen in their games they have had good spells. They've bought in a lot of players that have not been implemented yet but maybe tomorrow there is an opportunity for them. They will come back stronger and they have a good manager."

• On recent positive comments by Trent Alexander-Arnold about his relationship with Slot: "I think we all remember the day that Jurgen left what that meant to him. To hear him saying that about his new manager after a few months is nice. It's not always easy to come in and replace a manager like this."

• Slot added Alexander-Arnold's defending is about "concentration": "The only thing I know is we are talking about a player who has won the Champions League and a league title. It's clear to me he's been a good defender all his life. It's not about if he's capable of doing things. It's more about his concentration rate."

Follow all of Tuesday's Carabao Cup news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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The Monday Night Club panel have been discussing whether Trent Alexander-Arnold could have his head turned by interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Alexander-Arnold's current Liverpool deal runs out at the end of the season, and asked if he wanted to stay at Anfield for the long term, the 25-year-old said: "I want to be a Liverpool player this season [as a minimum] is what I will say."

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton said : "There's a reason why he's running his contract down and he has to defend himself and say his contract previous to this have been done in private and that's the way I've handled things in the past.

"But, it's unusual for a club of Liverpool's size for what he's done there, for him to be in the last year of his contract.

"It's different for Mo Salah and Virgil Van Dijk because they're in their 30s. For Trent Alexander-Arnold, this shouldn't be happening and how many clubs out there are bigger than Real Madrid?"

Former Everton and Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend added: "I don't think he necessarily wants to leave Liverpool or he's searching to leave Liverpool, but Real Madrid is Real Madrid.

"If there's interest from Real Madrid, I don't think as a player you can turn that down. He can't really say no to Real Madrid."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Liverpool are preparing to raid Bayer Leverkusen for their Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz, 21, Netherlands defender Jeremie Frimpong, 23, and Argentina midfielder Exequiel Palacios, 25. (CaughtOffside), external

The Reds also remain interested in signing Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi, 25, from Real Sociedad in the January window. (Fabrizio Romano, via TeamTalk), external

Liverpool will open talks with Colombia winger Luis Diaz, 27, over extending his deal beyond its current expiration in 2027 following his impressive start to the season. (Football Insider), external

Liverpool and England defender Joe Gomez, 27, is wanted by Aston Villa and Newcastle. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

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At their best, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk have as good a partnership as William Saliba and Gabriel of Arsenal.

The numbers did not show that last season because Liverpool played an at times reckless brand of attacking football under Jurgen Klopp - and because Van Dijk's centre-back partner kept changing.

Konate lost his place in the team to Jarell Quansah, a talented, emerging defender, but not someone capable of consistently world-class performances like the Frenchman.

Quansah played 45 minutes against Ipswich Town in the Premier League opener, but has not seen any game time since. Konate has come in and been incredibly good alongside the legendary Van Dijk, who is looking as good as ever and in terms of pure ability, is the best central defender in PL history.

As it is, Konate is so physically imposing. He is fast and strong, but unlike Van Dijk, throws himself into tackles and blocks and is happy to do the dirty stuff. He looks better on the ball, too, registering a terrific assist for Luis Diaz's opener against Bournemouth on Saturday.

He also defended resolutely and is part of a Liverpool backline that has conceded only one goal in five PL matches so far. That is the best record in the country.

Konate's weakness was always his injury record, but he has actually only missed eight games in total over the past two years - and looks as fit as ever right now.

Liverpool's dazzling attackers will continue to get the plaudits, but a title push will be built on the consistency of Van Dijk and Konate's defence.

Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external

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Trent Alexander-Arnold has said his contract negotiations with Liverpool will not be played out in public.

The England international's deal runs out at the end of the season, and asked if he wanted to stay at Anfield for the long term, the 25-year-old said: "I want to be a Liverpool player this season [as a minimum] is what I will say.

"I have been at the club 20 years now. I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public - and this one won't be either."

Since coming through the ranks, Alexander-Arnold has won the Premier League, a Champions League, one FA Cup and two Carabao Cups and he says he is motivated by the chance to work more silverware.

"The most important thing is trophies if I'm honest," he said. "I want to win trophies, I am a player who is highly motivated by winning things and being elite. If you have a personality that is an elite athlete who will do anything to win, then that is what drives them.

"We were close to the title last season and we got a cup. The quadruple was on for a while - the signs were there. This season we are looking really good. It is still early days, but we need a lot of consistency and to beat a lot of teams.

"Then you have the other cups, the Champions League and everything that comes around it. It will be difficult but we are looking to win as many trophies as we can."