Ange Postecoglou and Arne Slot

FA Cup pre-match press conferences LIVE! Slot, Guardiola, Maresca, Postecoglou and MORE

Ange Postecoglou and Arne Slot (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) via ONE FOOTBALL
Hayters Live Blog

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Welcome to our live blog! We’ll have updates from today’s pre-match press conferences ahead of the FA Cup fourth round fixtures.

14:12 Pep on Grealish's lack of game time

“I’m sorry he didn’t get the minutes he deserve but in the end the contribution from Jeremy and Savinho have been massive this season.

“That’s the only reason. It’s not personal or because I don’t like Jack or I don’t have confidence.

“One of the big news of this season is Savinho.”

14:09 Guardiola backs Gonzalez to help Man City

Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media in the last few minutes.

On new signing Nico Gonzalez, he says: “It’s a position that we are weak because of the absence of Rodri.

“I’m really pleased for the club to have him here.”

13:39 WATCH: Postecoglou launches staunch defence of his Spurs side

13:34 Postecoglou's full press conference

11:24 Watch Slot's full press conference

11:18 Maresca on Joao Felix's loan exit

On Joao Felix’s departure: “Nothing happened. Players want to play all the games. We decided altogether that it was a good option for him to leave.

“He never complained. He has been very good with us and professional.

“I think we need defensive balance and when you have so many attacking players, sometimes you concede transitions or goals.”

11:17 Maresca backs Nkunku to have a bigger role

“Hopefully from now on he can get more minutes and help us.

“We are sure that Christo was one of the players we wanted to keep.”

11:15 Maresca happy with outgoings in transfer window

“We did everything we planned in terms of players who had the desire to leave. We did all the things we needed.”

11:14 Lavia still has a long way to go

“Romeo is still in the process of coming back but there’s still a long way to go.”

11:13 Maresca still waiting for more news on Guiu

On Guiu’s injury: “We are still waiting. It doesn’t look a short injury, it looks a long injury. Exactly how long I don’t know.”

11:11 Maresca reveals Guiu injury

Enzo Maresca says Marc Guiu has picked up a “bad injury”.

He says Nicolas Jackson could be fit for the FA Cup clash Brighton. “It doesn’t look a long injury.”

11:10 Postecoglou points to injury crisis

“We had 10 missing players last night. If you take seven or eight key players out of a team it has an impact. I know constantly saying it dulls people to it but it’s true.”

11:09 Senior players 'carrying us'

Tottenham’s senior players came in for criticism after last night’s defeat to Liverpool but the Spurs boss has backed them: “The senior players are carrying us through this.”

11:08 Postecoglou hoping to have some players back next week

Postecoglou says he is hoping to get “two or three” players back next week.

11:07 Postecoglou says he doesn't have to prove anyone wrong

Postecoglou on the criticism from the outside and whether he needs to prove them wrong: I don’t know which people I need to prove wrong.

“I have no obligation to listen to them.”

11:06 Postecoglou defends his players

“I get it easy for people to stick their boots in but I don’t question the players.

“What happened last night doesn’t define these players.”

11:05 Spurs still without several key players

Ange Postecoglou has just held his pre-match press conference. He says Dane Scarlett is fit and available for this weekend’s FA Cup clash with Aston Villa but no one else is expected to return.

10:51 Slot on Nunez improvement

Finally, Slot praises striker Darwin Nunez and says he has seen an improvement in his overall game. He adds that his side are “using the number nine better” than they did at the start of the season.

10:50 Alisson not injured

Slot confirms Alisson’s absence against Spurs was just down to selection, and giving Caoimhin Kelleher the game time he deserves.

10:49 Morton injury

Slot says midfielder Tyler Morton will be out for a month or possibly more with a shoulder injury.

10:48 Slot impressed by reporter's question on TAA future

Slot on whether Conor Bradley is capable of replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold should he leave the club at the end of his current contract:

“He would be proud that you can come up with different ways of asking that question! (On Trent’s future).

10:46 Van Dijk and Carragher are "friends again"

Slot is asked about Jamie Carragher’s big praise for van Dijk and jokes: “They are friends again?”

He adds that he hopes he can work with the defender “for a long time” to come. His current deal is set to expire at the end of the season.

10:43 Alexander-Arnold still out

Arne Slot says this weekend’s FA Cup clash for Plymouth is “too soon” for Trent Alexander-Arnold to return. He adds that he could be back for the derby with Everton.

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