Every word Arne Slot said on worrying Virgil van Dijk claim, Alexander Isak status, and PSG

Every word Liverpool head coach Arne Slot said in his pre-match press conference on Virgil van Dijk's big claim, Alexander Isak's status, and PSG in the Champions League

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot speaks during a press conference.(Image: Mustafa Yalçın/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Liverpool travels to PSG in the Champions League fresh off a hammering at the hands of Manchester City in the FA Cup, but Arne Slot is still hopeful of turning things around.

Ahead of the game at the Parc des Princes, Slot offered the latest update on Alexander Isak and responded to Virgil van Dijk's claim that the Reds had given up at the Etihad Stadium, among other things. This is every word he had to say to reporters.

Isak availability: "He's finished close to a week of team sessions now, so he can play a part, otherwise I wouldn't take him. I decided not to take him to the Etihad because we thought, after we had talks with the player and the staff, that we couldn't get a performance out of him. Now, we think we can get a performance out of him... but not to start, let's be clear."

Response to Van Dijk comments: "Of course, we talk to the players in meetings but also individually. But it makes sense and is completely normal the feeling Virgil shared after the game.

"That is the feeling that every player had and not only every player, but every staff member and every fan or supporter of Liverpool as well. Everyone involved in Liverpool Football Club was disappointed after that result.

"That takes one or two days before you can look forward or ahead to the next game. Before you do that, you first address what you have to improve. That is quite obvious. If you only look at those 20 minutes, you can see a lot of things we can improve.

"We cannot compare PSG with Man City completely because when we had controlled ball possession, that also had something to do with City not being so aggressive towards us.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.(Image: PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images)

"PSG has shown in the last seasons when Luis Enrique was here that they don't give you any second of time to have the ball comfortable at your feet. It is always press, press, press, every second of the game.

"The good thing is during this year, we have become quite experienced in terms of negativity because of all the setbacks. This was a big one on Saturday, because it was a quarter-final, it was a big loss against our rivals. But for me, it felt just as bad when were were 3-2 up at at Leeds or 2-2 with Fulham."

Response to Luis Enrique's claim that neither team is the favorite: "In general, it doesn't matter who is the favorite because a lot can happen in two games.

"Both have good players and showed last season, going toe to toe, we deserved to lose 4-0 here last season, more than Saturday, and it was thanks to Alisson we didn't.

"At Anfield, we deserved to win that, but PSG kept the whole group together and didn't buy anyone did they? Our team will look different to the one that was there last season."

Is Slot feeling the pressure? "I think if you play a quarter-final, it's always a special moment. You cannot take the Champions League for granted. PSG and Man City are comparable because of the style of play they have. It's another chance to show we are not the team we were for the last 20 minutes (at the Etihad)."

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.(Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

Thinking about winning the Champions League? "I don't think so far ahead, especially if you face PSG. Champions of Europe; fully deserved. So impressive last season, maybe even more this season.

"They are still a very good team but details can decide a lot. Penalties made the difference last year and they went on to win it all.

"Usually a team needs to win on penalties in the Champions League or World Cup and go on. As much as I want to believe there no luck in penalties, sometimes maybe this has to do with luck.

"Gigi Donnarumma was great in that shootout. I am not looking so far ahead; this is the task tomorrow and then Saturday is Fulham, a big task."

On Giorgi Mamardashvili standing in for Alisson: "We are prepared for the game and if it goes as I hope, we don't need the goalkeeper. But is that realistic? PSG scored in all their games except for one.

"They are so offensive with quality and you need a good goalkeeper but for 35 minutes at the Etihad, we didn't need one. I was hoping he'd save a few."

How Liverpool can get itself out of a sticky situation: "I cannot debate that [performances have been inconsistent]. That is completely true. The performances have been inconsistent all season.

"I think the answer lies in the history of Liverpool. This club has always shown in tough moments, they stand up again. We've had a lot of tough moments and stood up a few times.

"This club has shown many times that we can do special things in difficult circumstances. Especially if we can bring this game to Anfield — as we saw last season, and a recent example like the Galatasaray game — we played the best game of the season at home.

"The answer is already in the history of Liverpool but it's easier said than done because we've shown far too many times this season that we have phases in games, usually 5-10 but 20 at Etihad, with four goals conceded.

"So like I said: easier said than done. But this group has shown many times it can come back after setbacks.

"Apart from the quality my team has — by the way, PSG has a bit of quality as well — but my team has shown in big games, with the exception of twice at the Eithad, that we are able to compete with the best teams in Europe.

"It is up to us to show the team that we have been against Real Madrid and these games."