Liverpool press conference LIVE - Mohamed Salah, Alisson, Florian Wirtz injury and fitness latest

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Today08:18 BSTHow many points Liverpool need for Champions League qualification Liverpool remain fourth in the Premier League table going into the final two rounds of the season despite having to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea on Saturday.Liverpool had hoped to bounce back from their painful 3-2 loss at bitter-rivals Manchester United and they made the perfect start at Anfield after Ryan Gravenberch curled in a beautiful early opener.But that was as good as it got for the Reds, who let their out-of-form opponents back into the contest and were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.That gave Aston Villa the chance ti move above the defending champions into fourth on Sunday when they travelled to already-relegated Burnley.But, feeling the effects of their Europa League semi-final success over Nottingham Forest three days earlier, fifth-placed Villa struggled to a 2-2 draw, which means their chances of qualifying for the Champions League remain in the balance.That's because sixth-placed Bournemouth won 1-0 at Fulham and seventh-placed Brighton & Hove Albion won 3-0 at home to basement boys Wolves respectively on Saturday.Villa are now level on points with fourth-placed Liverpool with both teams being four points above Bournemouth and six above Brighton.That makes Friday night's clash between Villa and the Reds at Villa Park a crucial one - because if there is a winner, they would move seven points clear of the Cherries and nine above the Seagulls and therefore seal Champions League qualification.Should the encounter end in a draw, that would give Bournemouth the chance to close the gap further when they return to action at home to title-challenging Manchester City on Tuesday, May 19. A draw on Friday would end Brighton's hopes of finishing in the top five.But there is a chance that sixth spot could also guarantee Champions League football.That scenario could play out if Villa finish fifth and win the Europa League final against Freiburg, which takes place on Wednesday, May 20 before the last round of Premier League matches, which sees Liverpool hosting Brentford in what is sure to be an emotional afternoon given it will mark the final appearances for the club for Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson.But for all the permutations, the task facing the Reds is a simple one - win one of their last two games and Champions League football will be theirs, which after an incredibly testing season, would be something.Today08:12 BSTHarvey Elliott questionIt would not surprise me if Arne Slot is asked about Harvey Elliott, the Liverpool midfielder who, through no fault of his own, has found himself out in the cold at tomorrow's opponents Aston Villa.Our Reds correspondent Paul Gorst wrote about the sad situation HERE.

It's a good read.Harvey Elliott has been a virtual spectator for Aston Villa since signing on a season-long loan from Liverpool(Image: Mattia Ozbot - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)Today08:12 BSTSo who could be missing?Florian Wirtz became Liverpool's latest absentee when he sat out Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea with a stomach infection which Arne Slot is hopeful will result in only a brief spell on the sidelines.The big question for the Reds is whether Alisson Becker is able to return having missed the last nine games with a hamstring problem. Liverpool boss Slot is expected to reveal more when he addresses the media on Thursday morning ahead of the game.Both Ibrahima Konate and teenage winger Rio Ngumoha limped out of the game against Chelsea, although Slot later explained both players had said they were just suffering from cramp.Hugo Ekitike faces a long period of rehabilitation after undergoing surgery last month on the Achilles tendon rupture suffered against Paris Saint-Germain.Conor Bradley is out for the season after a knee operation in January, while teenage centre-back Giovanni Leoni is also missing until the summer following ACL surgery in September.Wataru Endo, meanwhile, is continuing to recover from an ankle operation he underwent in February and is edging nearer a return to full training.

Youngsters Stefan Bajcetic and Jayden Danns haven't featured in the Premier League this season and are unlikely to do so.Today08:12 BSTGood morning And welcome to our live coverage of Arne Slot's penultimate Liverpool press conference of the season.The Reds head coach will be joining our own Ian Doyle and Paul Gorst, plus other members of the assembled media, at 9am at the AXA Training Centre.There is a lot to talk about.What happened at last Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Chelsea. The importance of Friday's match at Aston Villa.And injuries, injuries, injuries.The Reds could have as many as NINE players missing for the crucial clash at Villa Park, which could see one side qualify for next season's Champions League.