Team news?
We still have Macca [James McArthur] and James Tomkins who are not going to take part, everyone else is good. Jordan Ayew took part in some training this morning so will be available.
You had two big games against Millwall and Brighton recently, how do you feel after those games?
I think the team played well. They responded well to the challenges. Both games were challenging in a different way and I think we had good moments during those games and we have to build our confidence and belief and keep improving.
The last game at Anfield didn't feel like a 3-0, did it?
No, but it was a 3-0. There are always positives to take from that game because we created enough chances to score a couple of goals. But on the other side, we came back home with a loss and conceded three goals.
We analysed that game and we knew there were parts of the games we needed to improve. The team is getting better but we are not there yet. Liverpool is one of the greatest teams in Europe. You always enjoy watching them because of the intensity they put in. It will be a challenge but our record at home has been good, and we have to give them what they are expecting - a difficult game.
Still very good without Salah and Mane?
This is a team and not just about those two players they are missing. With those two they are stronger but still a couple of players playing really well who are fantastic talents. The best way to describe this team is as a strong team. Before talking about their individual talent it is about the team and this is a strong team.
Benteke staying?
Yes. He will be at this football club. Christian loves this football club and he is part of what we are trying to do. I shouldn't even have anything to comment about it because it has crossed my mind that there would be a subject there. Christian is a Palace player, he is happy to be here, I am happy for him to be here and we are working together to take the team to a different level.
Will Jean-Philippe Mateta be here at the end of January?
This is a period where there is a lot of speculation. For me, it is about the reaction from the players on the field. Mateta is rebuilding his confidence and belief because he is playing more games and physically he is feeling better and better. He has shown on the pitch he wants to be part of what we are trying to do and that's good for me, I'm happy with that.
Do you still want to make transfers?
We will try to improve the squad, this is a difficult period to find the right players. We are working and trying to improve and if we can bring a couple of players in that will be good for the squad, if not we will keep trying to improve players individually so that we can be a bit stronger collectively.
Ramsey?
I don't want to go into names. Aaron is a really strong player who will have a lot of options.
Will it be busy on deadline day?
Maybe and maybe not.
Every player touched the ball in the goal vs Brighton, does that show how you want to play?
The goals reflect the way we want to play and we know that in a game it is difficult to do it often or for 95 minutes but at least we have an identity and an idea of how we want to play. There's the other side of the game, how we want to defend well as a team and we need to improve that aspect of the game to be stronger and to win more games.
Have you improved on defending set-pieces?
We are dealing better with our defensive set pieces, especially in the second phases. I can't tell you it's perfect, we still need to improve. We know we are not the tallest team in the Premier League, but we are spending more time on the training pitch and improving.
How impressed have you been with Jack Butland and the way he recovered from the Millwall mistake?
Against Millwall, he had quite a solid game but people focus on the mistake. When you are a goalkeeper and you make a mistake you have more chance of conceding a goal.
I was really happy with the way he led the defence and I was really happy for him as against Brighton he had a really good game. In the first half, he made some fantastic saves to keep us in the game. I'm really happy with the goalkeepers we have in our squad.
Ayew fit enough to start?
We don't know, we still have a couple of days but he was in today and took part in the first part of training and we will have a discussion later on tomorrow to find out how he is feeling.
Butland brought about a reaction knowing competition?
There has always been competition. Vicente [Guiata] has never taken his position for granted. There's competition in a lot of positions and this is what we want. Jack [Butland] keeps working well and hard. Nobody in this team deserves that game he had at Brighton (more than him) because of his attitude in everyday training and around the team.
Is Vicente Guaita available?
Yes.
How is Tomkins?
The plan will be for him hopefully to take part in a training session next week.
McArthur back on the grass?
Yes, he's started working on the grass individually. If everything goes well he may take part in some training next week.
Good competition all over right now?
This is exactly what I want from the players. It is for them to compete for the position, and when they have that opportunity to play, to show how good they are for the good of the team.
Michael [Olise] did really well for us, and he has to keep challenging for the starting XI. Same for Jack [Butland], he has to push Vince [Guaita] and I think that will be raising the demands and the quality of the team.
Happy to have the winter break?
Some players play a lot, some play less but we take that break to give players a break. The calendar is the way it is and we have to deal with it.
