Liverpool boss Arne Slot says "the most difficult decisions" he has to make is leaving players out entirely on matchdays.
The Dutchman says he "does not understand" why, given the amount of games in England, clubs cannot name squads of 23 rather than 20 for fixtures.
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Liverpool midfielder John Barnes says Virgil van Dijk's contract should be the first priority for the club.
The Dutchman, like team-mates Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, is out of contract in the summer and is already free to talk to clubs overseas.
Of that high-profile trio, Barnes believes it is clear who is the most critical for Liverpool to retain.
"We want them all to stay, but if you were to put them in order, I would say Virgil is the most important," he said. "It would be great to have all three of them and the club have no control of that.
"I don't think we could cope with losing Van Dijk."
Barnes also suggested that the club must be careful when offering Salah a new contract despite the Egypt's forward continued outstanding form.
"He is going to slow down maybe next year or the year after," Barnes said. "If you look at what he's doing now and give him a four-year contract and think he's going to be the same in three years, he won't. The club has to make the right decision.
"The club need to look at the end of that contract and think will he have the same impact as he has now.
"It happens to everyone - [Ian] Rush, [Kenny] Dalglish, Billy Liddell... it happens to us all."
Do you agree with Barnes? Make your selection here
And send us your comments on why you chose the player you did here
Mike Hughes
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesThe second leg of Liverpool's Carabao Cup semi-final against Tottenham looks to be quite an enthralling prospect.
Arne Slot's team are continuing to take pretty much all before them. Ange Postecoglou's Spurs are most definitely not. So based purely on statistics, little wonder the Reds are hot favourites to once again book their place in the final.
However, it would be presumptuous in the extreme to think they are almost a guarantee to reach Wembley.
Slot has often spoke about his admiration for Postecoglou's footballing philosophy and favoured playing style. That is not to say he would consider similar tactics for his Liverpool team. He won't - because he doesn't need to.
The Dutchman often talks about the excellence of the squad he inherited from Jurgen Klopp and the adjustments he has made in playing style are more geared towards making the most of possession and taking fewer chances when you have it.
Some of the best boxing bouts are when there is a real contrast in styles, and that is similar in football.
It would be wrong to suggest the Tottenham manager has made a radical change recently to the overall way his team plays.
However, for sizeable part of the first leg of this tie and in Sunday's match at Brentford, there was a much more conservative approach to the game when out of possession. Spurs funnelled men back behind the ball quickly and didn't leave themselves overexposed in transition.
The sample size is too small to suggest Postecoglou is now employing a more pragmatic approach, but it is interesting nevertheless that the approach paid much greater dividends in terms of end result.
Conor Bradley is a more than able deputy for Trent Alexander-Arnold. His introduction as a second-half substitute for the injured vice-captain at Bournemouth injected renewed vigour and energy for Liverpool in a contest that could have gone either way.
Mohamed Salah's exploits this season have of course had us reaching for new superlatives. Don't be surprised if once again it is his name dominating the headlines when the tie is over.
Listen to Total Sport Merseyside from 18:00 on weeknights and find details here of live Liverpool match commentaries on BBC Radio Merseyside
Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist
Arne Slot on January transfer window
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Tottenham at Anfield (20:00 GMT).
The Reds trail 1-0 on aggregate from the first leg.
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Trent Alexander-Arnold is ruled out of Thursday's game with a "pain in his leg" and will be assessed before Sunday's FA Cup tie with Plymouth.
Slot has not informed Alisson or Caoimhin Kelleher who will start in goal: "I know [my decision] but the goalkeepers don't know yet. I will tell them after this."
On the Reds' quiet transfer window: "We have a very good squad. The players have shown that the trust we have in them was correct. We don't have many injuries, not long-term injuries. There is not a reason to add to the team unless there's a chance in the market. We saw that with the goalkeeper we brought in [Giorgi Mamardashvili]."
On going into the second leg 1-0 down: "I don't think I have to prepare them differently to any other game. From now on, until the end of the season and as long as Liverpool exists, you need to win the game. We were quite close in the first leg until the last few seconds. Nothing changes for this game compared to all the others. There's only one thing expected of you - to win the game."
On how in the first leg the referee announced a VAR decision to the stadium for the first time: "It's not necessary but let's see if the fans like it. In the Spurs stadium, it was so obvious it wasn't needed to announce it was offside. I was more interested in why he didn't give a second yellow [for Lucas Bergvall]."
Slot expressed his frustration on the limits to the size of his squad for matchdays: "Everywhere around the world and Europe we can take 23 players to the game. We play so many games here, so if you are able to, you need a big squad. That seems fair. I don't know why we don't have 23 for the games. It is a difficult decision to leave someone out who works every day and wants to be involved."
Four weeks have passed since the first leg in London with Spurs' defensive injury crisis beginning to ease: "We face two different players. I wonder if Van de Ven can play [because] he has a big impact. It might change the quality of the team and we already couldn't win [the first leg], so it will be difficult. But we will be better than the last time too."
Follow all of Wednesday's Carabao Cup news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Listen to full commentary of Liverpool v Tottenham on BBC Radio 5 Live from 20:00 GMT on BBC Sounds
Image source, Getty ImagesBBC chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.
Christian asked: With Liverpool entering the crunch period of the season with no signings and three contract rebels, are they gambling potential successes on no injuries/loss of form to key players?
Phil answered: I wouldn't call Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold "contract rebels". They are trying to negotiate their next deals - or their next moves - carefully, and the way they are all performing is certainly not rebellious.
I suppose there is a small element of a gamble, especially with potential injuries, but ask yourself this question: who is out there who Liverpool could realistically get, who is of the sort of quality to improve their squad at the moment?
I am not sure I can think of anyone in this January window. Looking at the all-round strength of Liverpool's squad, the club's recruitment team have got it absolutely right this month.
Fans often clamour for signings, but coming up with realistic available names, who would actually improve things in January - a difficult month to sign quality - is not quite so easy.
Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool were their usual mature selves and rode their luck to hold on to all three points from a fearless Bournemouth side on Saturday.
It was so much more enjoyable than the intricate tactics fest that the first hour of the Arsenal v Manchester City game showcased.
There eventually comes a time when you have to decide who you are as a football club. Do you just want to win, or would you like to win while entertaining the good folk who have paid money and turned up on a freezing cold day too cheer you on. Surely, they deserve to be warmed by some excitement on the field.
I talked last week about Justin Kluivert, a very exciting player and specifically about his ability to pass the ball into the net, usually resisting the temptation to panic and blast the ball semi-aimlessly in the general direction of the goal. He seemed to forget that this week, but Mo Salah rarely - if ever - forgets to be calm. The greats are just different.
I was positioned right behind Salah when he scored his beautiful second goal at Vitality Stadium and it was clear he slowed himself down just at the right moment. That is why he can decide to chip, dink, curl, use the instep, the outside of his foot or indeed a toe poke. He gives himself that time by making space then slowing down at the crucial moment.
"If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, yours is the Earth and everything that's in it."
Kipling maybe suggests too much is possible for Mo, but the forward's qualities will certainly give you the chance of a phenomenal football career.
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Image source, Rex FeaturesBen Doak has started 21 Championship games for Middlesbrough this season
Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick has confirmed winger Ben Doak will be out for a number of weeks because of a thigh injury.
The on-loan Liverpool player missed Monday night's 3-2 home defeat by Sunderland in the Championship.
"He felt his thigh in training, and we'll have to see. It's probably a number of weeks, if anything, not days, but I don't think it'll be too long," Carrick told BBC Radio Tees.
Middlesbrough signed Doak on a season-long loan in August, and despite speculation he could be recalled in the January transfer window, he will remain at the Riverside for the remainder of the campaign.
Boro completed the signings of Aston Villa winger Samuel Iling-Junior and former Manchester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho on deadline day, ahead of the loss to Sunderland.
Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesHow can you be irritated by Liverpool's lack of transfer activity when we finished top of the Champions League table, are six points clear with a game in hand in the Premier League and still in both cups?
If you are a sensible Liverpool fan, you can't.
Liverpool will definitely do business in the summer, but there really is not much to moan about.
A new left-back is needed, but Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas in rotation is not a travesty.
A new holding midfielder would be good to support Ryan Gravenberch, but the Dutchman has been the best number six in Europe this season and has played almost every minute.
Another centre-back could bolster the squad, but nobody would start ahead of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate anyway.
Darwin Nunez is not a long-term solution at centre-forward, but we can cash in at the end of the season and sign a new striker then instead.
There is no rush when it is all working and sporting director Richard Hughes probably considers the contract renewals of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah the priority.
If we announce one of those in February, it would trump any glee a new signing would have brought.
Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external
Portsmouth have signed Liverpool winger Kaide Gordon on loan for the remainder of the season.
The 20-year-old has made seven senior appearances and scored one goal for the Premier League leaders since moving to Anfield four years ago.
He spent the first half of the campaign at Pompey's fellow Championship side Norwich, scoring once in 10 appearances.
Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesMiddlesbrough's approach for Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton is not expected to progress.
The Championship side did make a bid for the 22-year-old and held talks, but they have not managed to find an agreement.
A package of over £10m has been reported, although sources dispute the figure.
Morton has made five appearances for Liverpool this season, including in last week's 3-2 Champions League defeat at PSV.
Boro, who host Sunderland in the Championship on Monday, have already taken Ben Doak on loan from Anfield this season.
The 19-year-old winger has three goals in 24 games for Michael Carrick's side, who are seventh in the table and sit outside the play-off spots on goal difference.
Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool forward Jayden Danns looks set to join Sunderland on loan for the rest of the season.
The 19-year-old is likely to join the promotion-chasing Championship side for more first-team experience but, before doing so, he is expected to sign a new long-term deal on improved terms with Liverpool.
Danns, who has been with the Reds since he was eight years old, made his first-team debut last season when they beat Luton Town in a Premier League game under Jurgen Klopp in February 2024.
He helped Liverpool beat Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final a few days later and then scored his first goals for the club in an FA Cup win against Southampton.
Danns made his Champions League debut in defeat at PSV Eindhoven last week. He started the group stage game with Liverpool already through to the last 16.
Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesThe main action taking place at Liverpool on deadline day is concerning their younger players and the club weighing up whether to keep them at Anfield or send them out on loan for experience.
It seems likely that Reds forward Jayden Danns, 19, will be allowed to go out on loan to Sunderland, while winger Kaide Gordon, 20, will join Portsmouth until the end of the season.
Liverpool's 20-year-old midfielder James McConnell, who impressed manager Arne Slot in a Champions League defeat at PSV Eindhoven last week, will be staying put.
Image source, Getty ImagesAfter impressive wins for Liverpool and Arsenal at the weekend, former England internationals Theo Walcott and Danny Murphy discussed how they think the Premier League title race will unfold.
Walcott: "Arsenal had to win [against Manchester City on Sunday] and put in a statement performance.
"Liverpool are, at this moment, playing at some level.
"It's going to be closer than you think but Liverpool, at this moment, I just don't see them slipping up. That's why it was really important for Arsenal to play that level."
Murphy: "Arsenal showed in the second half of last season that they're capable of going on a great run.
"The game in hand that Liverpool have got [against an in-form Everton at Goodison Park] - a few weeks ago it seemed like a gimme. But now it's not going to be a walk in the park."
We asked you what would ensure you are satisfied this deadline day.
Here are some of your comments:
Ross: We have the best squad in Europe so we don't need to add anyone. It is time to accept Trent Alexander-Arnold will go, but if we can keep Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, then I think most of us will be pleased.
David: We are looking very good and I don't see how we don't win the title and at least one of the cups. But we need to strengthen. We are in need of cover at centre-half, definitely a new left-back and, if Alexander-Arnold leaves then we need a right-back to cover Conor Bradley.
Ian: I don't think we need anyone this month, but we need a right and left full-back in the summer and a top-notch number nine to replace Darwin Nunez. Just no January panic buying please. Let Andy Carroll be your warning!
Peter: Nothing is required - except to sort out the three contracts, of course!
Russ: Liverpool have an outstanding forward line and midfield, but the defence is -and has been for some time - fragile. If Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold leave, then what? It is obvious we need to prepare for the future. As Alan Hansen said: "You'll win nothing with kids."
It's the last day of the winter transfer window and Premier League clubs have until 23:00 GMT to complete their business.
We'll bring you all the news, views, twists and turns as the clock ticks down to deadline.
Chris Wise
Final Score reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesSometimes you just get a sense during the season that you are watching a special team, and I cannot be the only one who felt that wutg Liverpool's win at Bournemouth.
There were lots of elements of their performance that were eye-catching.
Mohamed Salah's genius, Alisson's sharpness, the confidence, the control, the hunger... Of course, there were moments of concern for Liverpool in the game, but that is because they were facing a team stacked with self-belief.
This is a big hurdle cleared in their pursuit of the title.
It is also mightily impressive that Liverpool look indestructible when the future of three of their most important players is so uncertain. Some teams would not cope with that.
Salah's majestic moment is only going to create more headlines, but I am not sure anything is going to distract them this season.
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool forward Mohamed Salah said Liverpool's title challenge "feels different" to previous seasons but they have to remain focused on the games ahead.
The Reds have a nine-point lead over second placed Arsenal, who host Manchester City on Sunday afternoon, having claimed their 17th victory of the season against Bournemouth on Saturday.
Under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool were top of the table this time last season but fell away in their final eight games to finish third.
"Yeah, I think [it feels] slightly different but last season we were also very close," Salah said. "As I've said before, we need to stay humble and just take it each game at a time.
"Focus on each game. We don't have to think further.
Salah, who is out of contract in the summer, has now hit scored 20 Premier League goals or more in five of his eight campaigns at Anfield.
"Scoring goals and the team winning is an incredible feeling," he added.
"I've said it many times before that my main target this season is to win the Premier League with the team. We are going in the right direction so hopefully we can keep going like this."
Let's be realistic.
Instead of setting sights high only for dreams to get dashed, we want to know what the minimum requirement is for Liverpool on deadline day.
Be as specific as possible and tell us what will ensure you are satisfied come 23:00 GMT on Monday.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Bournemouth and Liverpool.
Here are some of your comments:
Bournemouth fans
Sam: Bournemouth just fell short in the final third during this game. The Kluivert miss summed it all up really. It wasn't the electric game we were all expecting, but the boys can be proud of the performance they put in.
Charles: A great game. The Cherries battled but didn't get the breaks they deserved. The penalty was soft and Salah's finish was quality. The usual intensity was there, but the depth of substitutes was not.
Paul: The Cherries really gave it a proper go but were up against the very best the Premier League could offer in Liverpool. Let's all be honest here, we are not quite there yet but we will be eventually - unless we do the normal Bournemouth thing and sell our top players when the money is right. Well done to all the players, though.
Siva: Bournemouth are bound for Europe, no doubt about that. They play with pace, strength and clear direction. They gave Liverpool a run and if the crossbar and posts were a couple of centimetres longer, they would have drawn this game. Well played, Bournemouth - take Europe by storm.
Liverpool fans
Fraser: I cannot stress how big a win this is. We were up against a good Bournemouth side, who beat Arsenal and Manchester City at home and scored nine goals in their past two games. To go there, win and keep a clean sheet is massive for us. Salah once again showing why he is critical to our team. Alisson demonstrating why he is one of the best - if not the best - goalkeepers in the world. Our defence was rock solid. A good win for the Reds. Onwards.
Carl: The Reds played well, as did Bournemouth. But, to be honest, I thought we were a tad lucky to come away with the win.
Yusuf: That was a Liverpool display that proved why they are the main contenders for the league this year. They showed great maturity, particularly in the patches where Bournemouth were dominant. It was great to see the backline getting a clean sheet against tough opposition. It was a magnificent second goal from Salah!
Ian: I was expecting a much tougher game, but Liverpool controlled the majority of it. Szoboszlai was poor and should have been replaced. Alexander-Arnold had another questionable performance. But, apart from that, I'm sure Arne Slot would be quite happy with how it played out.
Adeniyi: How come nobody is talking about a quadruple?
