Every word Arne Slot said on Liverpool injury blow, Virgil van Dijk and Brighton FA Cup tie

Every word Arne Slot said in his pre-match press conference, including a Wataru Endo update, praise for Virgil van Dijk praise, and more on the Brighton FA Cup tie

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot during a press conference.(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot says Wataru Endo will be sidelined for a substantial period of time after the injury he sustained at Sunderland on Wednesday — while he has some selection dilemmas to solve ahead of Brighton.

With the Premier League title long out of reach, Liverpool could do with going far in the FA Cup, in addition to getting back into the Champions League spots ahead of either Manchester United or Chelsea. Here is every word that Slot had to say on Friday ahead of the visit of Brighton...

Wataru Endo injury update: "We still need to do some assessment but it's clear and obvious he will be out quite a long time. Don't forget he is a good centre-back and midfielder too and it is not as though positions... we're quite vulnerable there as well."

Team selection for Brighton game: "It's not the first time we've had three games in seven days. It is part of being a top club.

"It depends what draw you have too and we play a strong Brighton side. They don't deserve the position they are in; they play so much better than the table shows and they deserve more than they get, so it is another challenge.

"It took me a long time before I could fall asleep because I was constantly thinking of the same options. Which players, which other players, which positions, so I need another 24 hours.

"Where is this as a priority? We have three clear priorities: the FA Cup, Champions League qualification, and the Champions League.

Arne Slot speaks at his Liverpool press conference to preview the FA Cup clash with Brighton & Hove Albion

"We are also aware of the limited options so the load management is important. The last thing we need is another injury, so that is always the tough thing for a manager, to make the best decision every single time.

"It is also true that it wouldn't be the first time a player gets injured if they have to play three games in seven days. It also happened many times that players could play three games in seven days, so that is the challenge we are having.

"The most important thing is that we train today, we listen to the players, see how they feel, and make the best possible decision."

Handing chances to young players: "I am always looking at the younger players. A few of them come closer and closer to first-team football.

"A few already had it, like Rio and Trey, and games like this could be an option as well, but it is about finding the right balance. We play a very strong team with Brighton and getting the right balance with who to play is something to think about.

"Of course it gives us more questions [that it is Brighton]. If we had a different opponent, then I maybe make other choices."

Importance of Virgil van Dijk: "Vital, of course. Not even looking at the amount of options we have at center-back because if he's not playing, there are no options left. The same for Ibou, by the way, although Joe Gomez is coming back now.

"[Virgil] has been fit every single time — and I've said this before, how big of an accomplishment that is for a player of his 'age' because he's not the youngest anymore, [but he] plays every three days.

Virgil van Dijk has played almost every minute for Arne Slot this season(Image: Getty Images)

"That's not a coincidence because if I look at how much work he puts in on a daily basis to recover, to be ready for the next [game] immediately when the game finishes till the moment the next game starts.

"I've said before, it's always harder to stay fit in this season where you [as a] team and he as well have had so many setbacks.

"It tells you a lot about his what he does off the pitch in recovery, but definitely also about his mental strength that he's able to stay with the team — and not only stay with the team, but also bring in bringing in very good performances and leading the team, as he always does on and off the pitch, by example. That is what he did on Wednesday night in Sunderland."

Dominik Szoboszlai and Milos Kerkez: "These two are important for us. How important are they for us? The energy both bring is important.

"Milos has shown this season that defensively he is very solid and able to defend 1v1 against the best wingers in the world and more and more we saw what he did at Bournemouth, an offensive threat, the power to go up and down.

"Szoboszlai, I cannot stop talking about his qualities. He is close to ridiculous, on and off the ball, his work rate is another level, the intensity he presses with is unbelievable.

"His technique, game insight, offensive midfielder, right-back, right-winger, all these qualities in these positions, he has been vital for us this and last season. He will continue to be that for us."

Successfully defending late lead against Manchester City: "I think Man City only had one shot after we scored, but it was immediately a goal and that changes everything. The margins are so small, every single time a team has a sniff, they score.

"We put so much effort in before we are able to score and I didn't see too many differences in the final 20 mins against Sunderland to City. We challenged in their box for the second, so the margins are small.

"One moment after 1-0 when Konate was in a fight with Brobbey, but he won the tackle and played the ball. The margins are not happening then he turns and scores, but Ibou defended it perfectly and those are the margins we are talking about."