FA Cup news conferences LIVE: Slot and Rosenior speaking before quarter-finals

'Not for me to speak about' - Rosenior on Fernandez's future

Chelsea v Port Vale (Sat, 17:15 BST)

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior on whether Enzo Fernandez wants a move away: "Even at Everton when we lost the game, there was no lack of commitment in [Fernandez's] performance.

"In terms of speaking for him, what he wants and his future, it's not for me to speak about. I want to focus on a massive tomorrow where we can make an FA Cup semi-final."

Could Cucurella leave Chelsea this summer?

Chelsea v Port Vale (Sat, 17:15 BST)

Chelsea

Liam Rosenior mentioned Marc Cucurella just now, who also made headlines last week.

While away with Spain, Cucurella said it would be "hard to turn down" an offer to return to his former club Barcelona.

Asked about a return to his homeland, Cucurella said: "Spain is always Spain. It is where I grew up and you always think about going back.

"But I would [prefer to] leave it for a few years down the line. I am very happy here and it is a great life experience."

Pushed specifically on a return to Barcelona, Cucurella added: "It is clear if that situation [Barcelona making an offer] did arise, it is hard to turn down, but I would have to consider it in the end."

'We need more emotional stability'

Chelsea v Port Vale (Sat, 17:15 BST)

Chelsea

More from Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior on Enzo Fernandez: "It's not ideal. A lot of this stems from a difficult 10 days in terms of results we have had - probably the most difficult for me as a player or manager. I'll go back to the first game against Paris St-Germain. It all fell apart in 15 minutes and there was a huge emotional dump that fell through into the next three games.

"The players were motivated that we could do something really special in the Champions League. The comments from Enzo and Marc Cucurella's interview both stem from that. It actually stems from a good place where they want the club to succeed.

"But in those moments, we need more emotional stability as a group of players."

'The door is not closed'

Chelsea v Port Vale (Sat, 17:15 BST)

Chelsea

More from Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior on Enzo Fernandez: "Enzo, firstly, as a character, a person and a player, I have the utmost respect for what he has achieved and what he is as a player. He's frustrated because he wants us to be successful.

"In terms of the decision, it's not all about me, or the sporting directors, the ownership, the players, we are aligned in every decision that we make. It was a joint decision. The door is not closed on Enzo. It's a sanction. You have to protect the culture, and in terms of that, a line was crossed in the international break."

What did Enzo Fernandez do?

Chelsea v Port Vale (Sat, 17:15 BST)

Chelsea

Enzo Fernandez's future at Chelsea is looking uncertain after the Argentina midfielder's fueled talks of a move to Real Madrid in the summer.

Last month, after Chelsea's Champions League exit at the hands of Paris St-Germain, Fernandez said he did not know whether he would be at the club next season.

"I don't know, there are eight games left and the FA Cup," the 25-year-old said.

"There's the World Cup and then we'll see."

Fernandez later said there had been "no talks" with Real Madrid and added: "Right now I'm focused on Chelsea, we'll see after the World Cup.”

However, a more recent interview has led to increased speculation of a big-money move to the Spanish capital.

"I’d like to live in Spain, I really like Madrid; it reminds me of Buenos Aires," he replied, when asked where he would love to live if he were to leave London.

"Players live where they want. I’d live in Madrid. I get by in English, but I’d be more comfortable in Spanish."

Chelsea signed Fernandez for a then British record 121m euro (£107m) transfer fee from Benfica in 2023, after he was named the young player of the tournament during Argentina's World Cup triumph in Qatar.

'Fernandez crossed a line'

Chelsea v Port Vale (Sat, 17:15 BST)

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior on Enzo Fernandez: "I spoke with Enzo about an hour ago. As a football club, with me as part of the decision, he won't be available for tomorrow's game or Manchester City next Sunday.

"It's disappointing for Enzo to speak that way. I have got no bad words to say about him but a line was crossed but a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build."

Liverpool's upcoming fixtures

Premier League games unless stated

Liverpool

While this season has undoubtedly been one to forget for many Liverpool fans, Arne Slot's side do still have the chance to achieve something special this season.

They still have two of the most prestigious cup competitions in football to play for, while also still being well in the battle for a top five spot and a place in next season's Champions League.

The task ahead of them, however, is a daunting one.

Manchester City stand in their way in the FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday before a trip to Paris to take on European champions Paris St-Germain follows in midweek.

At this point, it's fair to say that a season-defining few weeks await.

Liverpool's remaining fixtures:

Man City (a) - FA Cup quarter-final

PSG (a) - Champions League quarter-final

Fulham (h)

PSG (h) - Champions League quarter-final

Everton (a)

Crystal Palace (h) / Potential FA Cup semi-final

Potential Champions League semi-final

Man Utd (a)

Potential Champions League semi-final

Chelsea (h)

Aston Villa (a) / Potential FA Cup final

Brentford (h)

Potential Champions League final

'Salah will leave as a legend of this club'

Man City v Liverpool (Sat, 12:45 BST)

Liverpool

Liverpool boss Arne Slot, speaking to the club's website about Mohamed Salah, after the news broke during the international break that the Egypt forward would leave the club in the summer:

"I knew, so it wasn't new news to me, but I think it was very good to hear and see all the reactions of his teammates, but also from everywhere around the world, for what he has done for this football club and for football in general.

"Hopefully he can make his legacy even more special in the upcoming weeks and months where we still play for something special. But he will always leave this club as a legend because, as I said, the way this club has performed in the last seasons is also for a large part due to what he's done for it.

"And then when I started working with him, I don't know if it was his best season in terms of numbers, but it was an impressive season because he had the most goals and the most assists and I don't know if that has happened much with him, let alone with any player in the Premier League.

"He will definitely leave as a legend of this club."

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