Slot on Salah return, his future and addressing poor away form

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Friday's Premier League game against Aston Villa at Villa Park (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Ibrahima Konate is available, while Mohamed Salah has trained with the squad and "will be available for a few minutes" against Villa.
• Florian Wirtz has had a stomach infection and is on antibiotics so Slot does not yet know whether he will recover in time.
• Goalkeeper Alisson will be assessed on Friday to see "whether he is ready, or has to wait one more week" to return.
• On Alisson's future and fans wanting clarity on whether to give him a "big send-off": "Our fans need to support Alisson, no matter if it is his last game or if it was his first game - that is what they have always done. If he is in goal tomorrow or next week, our fans will support him. The same goes for next season."
• Slot said Liverpool have "dropped far too many points in away games" this campaign and that's "one of the reasons" why they have not yet qualified for the Champions League.
• On why he thinks their away form has been poor: "It has mainly happened while playing in Europe and in games Liverpool are usually able to win. The first challenge is to be fitter and more ready to play after Europe and I think we have progressed in that."
• He added they have "many times" been "in a good place after 70, 80 minutes, but dropped points in the last phase of the game," so that needs to improve next season.
• In response to whether he will be head coach of the Reds next term: "I don't think I am deciding that alone, but I have every reason to believe I'm the Liverpool manager next season."
• On long-term plans: "We know where we go on tour. Plans have been made and talks have been ongoing between the club and new players, and I am involved in that."
• He said he has "the most respect" for his players because they have had a "difficult season, physically and mentally" but have "have been constantly available."