NewsIn full: Arne Slot's programme notes for Liverpool v Brighton

The Reds head coach writes: "On Tuesday night we enjoyed a very important victory away to Inter Milan. Important because of the result and our hopes of qualifying for the knockout stage of the Champions League, of course, but important also because of what it said about the team.

"This would have been a difficult game in any circumstances given Inter's home record and it was made even more challenging by the late disappointment we had at Leeds a few days earlier.

"On top of this, we had a situation which meant we had only 13 outfield players available with Premier League or Champions League experience.

"This could have been a cause for excuses had we allowed such a mindset to set in but the players did the opposite – they stood together, rose to the occasion and displayed a collective mentality which allowed us to achieve a memorable result.

"We now have two wins and two draws from our last four games, which is not the standard we aspire to but it is a sequence of results which give us a platform to build from.

"We know also that had we managed certain moments better our points return could – and almost certainly should – have been better. This is where we need to improve.

"We need to show more consistency from one game to the next and we need to manage key moments better.

"At times this season we have shown our quality and our potential – beating Real and Atletico Madrid, defeating Arsenal and Aston Villa are among the first to spring to mind – but our aim has to be to win more regularly.

"We want and need to improve our position in the Premier League. I would be the first to admit that 10th place is not good enough for a club like Liverpool.

"Yes, the league is even more competitive than ever this season and a lot of teams are close in terms of points, but this does not justify where we are right now. We have to take responsibility for changing this.

"This is why I was so pleased with how we performed at San Siro, because everyone involved on and off the pitch took responsibility for helping Liverpool show a better face.

"Of course this is extended to our supporters who travelled in such big numbers a couple of weeks before Christmas to drive the team on. This is the togetherness that I am talking about. We needed to be there for each other and we were there for each other.

"This was true in the difficult moments when we had to withstand pressure from a very strong opponent and it was true during the periods when we were on top and ultimately able to win the game.

"Let it be clear that we will need the exact same qualities today. Brighton are currently above us in the league on goal difference and they have had some really good results already this season with a squad that has a lot of quality.

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"I would like to welcome Fabian Hurzeler, his players, staff and the directors and supporters of Brighton to Anfield for this game.

"Fabian is still a young coach but he already has a lot of experience and having faced his Brighton team twice last season we know to expect a very tough challenge.

"As this will be our final home game before the festive season, I would also like to send all of our supporters my very best wishes.

"However you spend Christmas, whether you celebrate or not, I can only hope that it is a very special time for you and your families.

"Having experienced your backing during a difficult spell, I hope also that we can make the most of this period by continuing to show the improvement that we know is necessary."