Liverpool head coach Arne Slot previewed the weekend's game against Tottenham earlier today. Here is every word he said during his press conference in Kirkby.

On drawing Spurs in the Carabao Cup: "Interesting draw but any team would have been difficult. There are four top teams left in the competition. We play Tottenham on Sunday and then again in January. I have to give Tottenham credit. When I think of the great players they have had, they have always played a certain brand.

"I think Ange gives them that identity back. It is really enjoyable to watch them. They were one of the teams that beat City, like us, but not all of them beat them in the manner that we did, and Tottenham did. It was completely deserved in both situations, dominated the whole game.

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"Ange is doing great work, and I hope it is recognized a bit more. I hope he wins a trophy — but not the League Cup! I am a big fan of his team for the Europa League. How can you be too attacking?"

On being top of the Premier League table: "I have said we should only judge the table after 19 games when everyone has faced the same opponents. Arsenal, for example, had a lot of red cards at the beginning of the season and dropped some points. We dropped points last weekend. Now we must face Tottenham."

On Ange Postecoglou: "They are consistent in their playing style, they always like to attack. They are sometimes a bit unlucky because they dominated against Man Utd yesterday.

"I don't think there are many season ticket holders in the country that watch as many great games at Tottenham, maybe at Liverpool! It is a privilege to watch their games. They play with such a great style. They are not a club that has historically won things before Ange. He brought that identity back."

On Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa return: "Every time a player comes back from injury, it is a boost for the team. We need every player as we saw in the Fulham game, the way Jarell and Harvey came into the team. In this league, with cup competitions too, it is so important to have all your players back.

"Fede is getting stronger and better and you can see that on the pitch. He had to adapt for quite a long time and that is expected because he missed a lot of sessions at Juve. He went to a league where the intensity is so high. He is facing a lot of competition in the right wing position."

On the importance of the young players: "That made our game at Southampton special. We have seen that most of the clubs in the quarter-finals played with their starters.

"Our academy players were starting or on the bench. That makes this club special. There is always room for academy players, and not just this season. If we are missing a few players, we take a look at the academy. That is part of our identity."

On the busy Liverpool schedule: "We put a lot of effort in during pre-season. We gave them, in my opinion, quite a few days off but we are seeing the benefit of that. I have fully trusted the performance staff and they have managed that well. We only have two real injuries at the moment on the training ground today, and that is important."

On Trent Alexander-Arnold wanting to be the best in the world in his position: "I like this in a player. This is something every player must have at this level. If you don't, you probably don't play at this level.

"As long as they put the team first, and become the best as a result, it is what we want from all the players. That mentality is not a given for everyone. It is the mentality of a top player, to want to be the best in your position in the world."

On where Luis Diaz might play now Diogo Jota is back: "People said a week ago that Darwin Nunez's numbers aren't high enough but he has now got a goal and an assist. Lucho can play in that position. He has done very well for us in that role. He has played more games as a winger but we know he can do it. Darwin and Jota are there but Lucho is definitely an option."

On how he switches off from soccer: "There is a lot of scrutiny and pressure. It is a nice job to have though and there have been a lot of positives. I only look back at this year as a positive. People have a lot of opinions but that can work both ways."

On injuries, with Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley being out: An injury update from the Liverpool boss. He confirms that Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate are yet to return to training. Slot admits it is difficult to put a time frame on their return but the pair are 'on their way back'

"I thought Jota would have been back a bit earlier than he was. Sometimes rehab takes a bit longer. Let's wait and see. We have a very good rehab team. The main thing is that when they come back, they are ready to play. It is important for the long term that they return at the right moment. I am sure that will be the same for Ibou and Conor."

On slow starts in games recently: "My feeling was the same. I felt it was a bit of a slow start against Fulham. It doesn't help that one of your players gets a knock and needs treatment, then they have to come off the pitch. That doesn't help to build momentum.

"Against City and Real Madrid, we had a really good start. Against Fulham, we were on the front foot but we didn't score and then conceded before the red card. The momentum was not the same but what we did was the same."