Liverpool

Liverpool boss Arne Slot on when he expects Jeremie Frimpong and Alisson Becker to return: "Alisson, for sure, and I also expect Jeremie to be back after the international break - because there isn't another one until March!

"I don't expect Frimpong to be fully fit for Nottingham Forest (22 November) but I expect Alisson to be fit for that game."

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More from Liverpool manager Arne Slot on Mohamed Salah: "It helps a lot that the main focus in on players who scores goals. It's very important for us to have [Salah] scoring goals and it's also important for us to have him help the team out with his defensive work, which he also did in recent games."

Liverpool

More from Liverpool manager on Andy Robertson's future at the club: "It's been a while I have had to talk about contracts, but here it's again.

"I was very please to see [Robertson] was able to play three games in seven days. He has done well as the team did. It's so helpful for everyone if the team play well. He's been calm on the ball and done a job defensively. Happy with his two, maybe three, performances.

"Over 30 doesn't tell me anything about the player. If you look at Virgil van Dijk or Mohamed Salah and [Robertson] - all three of them were able to win the Premier League and played a big part in it. Being 32 is not old for a football player in my opinion."

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Liverpool manager Arne Slot on the midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister: "I haven't been able to play all three of them together many times for obvious reasons - injuries mainly. It helps if the team plays more and more together.

"[Szoboszlai] has been outstanding throughout the season but these two games brought more out of him and the team for me for obvious reason, but maybe it's smarter not to say those reasons because I don't want to say it over and over again.

"He has a lot of qualities but one of them is work without the ball and I like that. The last two games, it was even above his own standards."

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More from Liverpool manager Arne Slot: "It has been two good games. Although in my opinion, and I think I am the only one, I liked the performance against Manchester United more than against Aston Villa. But I liked the result at Villa much more.

"We created much more chances from open play against United than Villa. [And conceded more] because we were 1-0 and 2-1 down so had to take more risks.

"If you win a game, everything else doesn't matter. But I try to balance it out a little bit in this building."

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Good news on the injury front for Liverpool fans as Arne Slot confirms that they expect goalkeeper Alisson Becker to be fit to play against Nottingham Forest in the first game after the international break.

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More from Liverpool manager Arne Slot: "We were actually very consistent. But the thing is we were consistent in losing.

"We have to be consistent in doing things right. Manchester City is one of the most difficult challenges you have playing away in a season. It's a very interesting game to look forward to.

"When I wasn't working here and was in the Netherlands, I did know when Manchester City v Liverpool was happening and I can tell you I was 100% in front of the television when it happened. These are the few games everyone is looking forward to."

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Liverpool manager Arne Slot provides an update on Alexander Isak: "He will train for the first time today with the team again after three weeks out. I said three weeks ago that his pre-season has ended. It's time for us to see where he is at.

"I have to come back to those words because if you are three weeks in rehab, that doesn't bring you back to the levels you were three weeks ago. Although our team have done a great job, you can't compare rehab with games of football or training sessions with the team. That's simply not possible.

"Again, I've to say give him some time."

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Liverpool manager Arne Slot on Florian Wirtz: "Florian can play in more than one position. He can play off the left which he did almost all the time at Bayer Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso. And before that he played mainly as a number 10.

"It's more about getting him in the positions where he is good at than be focussed on what his role is. We would like to have him in and around the 18-yard box centrally or a bit more off the left or right to create the number of chances."

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Liverpool manager Arne Slot on Andy Robertson's fitness: "He started three games in seven days as he also started against Crystal Palace.

"I felt he was tired, so I had to take him out at the end of the game [against Real Madrid]. But we have to wait and see how the recovery goes. Let's see where he is today."

Liverpool

Liverpool manager Arne Slot speaking before the game against Manchester City, on wins against Real Madrid and Aston Villa: "We always knew we could do it. It wasn't a surprise for me how the last two games went.

"It was helpful that the other team did what we expected them to do.

"In eight out of the 10 games we have played this season, we have faced a different playing style. But there is still a lot of work to do to get more performances like that. It is helpful.

"Manchester City are very good and they have got quality players, so that makes the challenge even bigger."

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Arne Slot confirms that Alexander Isak will train with the team today for the first time in three weeks.

No confirmation on whether or not that means he will definitely be involved at the weekend or not.

Liverpool

Liverpool manager Arne Slot speaking before the game against Manchester City: "My only focus is on ourselves and our focus is on consistency at the moment.

"We have lost a few games as you know - much more than we usually do. But we have now won two. Our focus is on improving and getting the players fit. And we will see where that leads to."

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He kept us waiting for a little bit but Arne Slot is in position now and we're ready to go...

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For a number of years during Jurgen Klopp's time in charge of Liverpool, this was the game in the Premier League.

Two incredible teams, battling it out at the top of the table and with so little between them, the outcome of these fixtures went a long way to deciding the title winners.

In the two seasons that City pipped Klopp's Reds to the title by a point, Liverpool failed to beat Pep Guardiola's team home or away with a draw and a loss in 2018-19 and two draws in 2021-22.

The year then won it under Klopp, they triumphed 3-1 at Anfield and the title was wrapped up ahead of their loss at the Etihad.

Arsenal have put themselves firmly in the title mix in recent seasons and Klopp has now departed but this remains a hugely important contest.

Under Arne Slot, Liverpool did the double over City last season, winning 2-0 both home and away. If they can overcome Erling Haaland and co again, the question as to whether they are back will have been well and truly answered...

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This is a huge game in its own right but it could have a big impact on the Premier League title race - and if there will even be a title race - as well.

Arsenal have established a six-point lead at the top with Manchester City their closest challengers. Liverpool are a further point back in third.

You don't have to be a genius mathematician to figure out that means that should Arsenal win at Sunderland on Saturday, they will end the weekend having further extended their advantage over their rivals.

A draw would then see them eight clear of City and nine ahead of Liverpool. A City win would give them a 10-point advantage over the defending champions and should the visitors win at the Etihad, Pep Guardiola's men could find themselves nine points adrift.

So would a defeat for either side, combined with an Arsenal win, end their title hopes? And would a draw leave both of them with too much to do?

Certainly anything less than a win and the margin for error for both sides would be all but gone.

Then again, if Sunderland do them a favour, a win for either and it's game on again!

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Among the things that we can expect to find out from Arne Slot is whether British-record signing Alexander Isak will be fit to return on Sunday.

The striker has been out with a groin injury since being forced off in the Reds' 5-1 win at Eintracht Frankfurt in October but has been included in the Sweden squad for the forthcoming international fixtures.

That suggests he is close and Slot said before the Real Madrid game that Isak had a chance of making the squad but almost certainly would not be able to start.

A few days on, we can expect on update on his fitness - and possibly that of goalkeeper Alisson Becker and full-back Jeremie Frimpong as well.

On paper, Liverpool's fixtures look that bit more favourable after the international break but it is never as simple as that.

Plus, they have the small matter of Manchester City at the Etihad to deal with first...

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