Good morning! Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers will be speaking to the media shortly as his side prepares for the visit of Aston Villa this weekend. The Reds have not won since their second match of the season, which has resulted in the side slipping down to 13th in the table ahead of this fixture.

As a result of the team's poor form over the last month, there has been plenty of speculation over Rodgers's future at the club over the last few days, with some reports suggesting that the manager has just three fixtures to save his job.

As well as facing inevitable questions about his future, Rodgers should also have an update on his squad's fitness. Last week, Rodgers was optimistic that captain Jordan Henderson was nearing a return to fitness, but he's since been dealt a setback, but Daniel Sturridge has played for the first time this season after recovering from hip surgery.

Don't forget, you'll be able to follow live updates from this match, as well as all of this weekend's Premier League matches, with Sports Mole this weekend. Join us from 2pm tomorrow for all the build up, including the team news.

Incidentally, Liverpool will be wearing special shirts for this match, supporting the Global Goals charity:

Following talk of Rodgers's potentially imminent departure, various names have been linked with the manager's job at the club, including former Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp, while former Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has had to deny that he is in talks with the side.

Liverpool have been desperately short of goals in the Premier League so far this season, having failed to score more than once in any of their matches. New signing Christian Benteke has found the back of the net twice in the first six matches of the season, but his teammates have only added a further two goals.

One player who will be missing this weekend is midfielder Roberto Firmino. He featured in the League Cup match against Carlisle earlier this week but had to be substituted after an awkward landing, resulting in him withdrawing from Brazil's squad for their upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

Right then, the manager is finally in place at Melwood and ready to face the media, so let's see what's on his mind this week.

Starting with his team news, Rodgers confirms that Firmino, Dejan Lovren and and Christian Benteke will all miss this weekend's match.

Attention quickly turns to the speculation surrounding Rodgers's future. He tells reporters: "There's always going to be speculation around you job. Since I've been here, there's probably 10 managers been linked with the job. I have regular contact with the owners and the relationship has always been strong. If I'm here for one more day, one month or one year, I'll always do my very best to get results. I enjoy the pressure of the challenge."

Sticking with his future, Rodgers adds: "I know I've created that expectancy because of how we worked, because how well the team have operated. I expect to be a manager for another 20 years, and I don't expect that those 20 years will be here at Liverpool. The most important think here is the club's success. That's why we all work here. The message would be the stay with the team, because they really are fighting."

Danny Ings scored against Norwich last weekend, and again in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday. The manager says: "I've been really happy with his contribution. He's a very positive guy, always analysing his game."

On his squad in general, Rodgers tells the media: "The squad are very stable and focussed on the process of winning games. They know it's very early, they're looking to create some kind of momentum."

Rodgers confirms that Sturridge will be in the squad to face Villa, while adding that there is no timeline for Benteke's return.

Rodgers insists that he still believes in himself: "I always believe that hard work pays off. We're all working tirelessly to win games. My belief and confidence is there, and always has been. I don't shy away from the fact you need to get results in be performing well."

Rodgers believes that he is always under pressure to get results: "I'm never complacent enough to think my has job never been [under threat]. At a club of this stature you always need to be at your best. Experiences make you better as a manager. To manage the focus and scrutiny here has been fantastic. I've loved every minute of it."

Rodgers is adamant that he wants to remain at the club: "My time here has been really enjoyable, and I hope it can continue to be that. I want to ensure I'm here for a long period. I'll do my best to prepare my players to play exciting, dynamic football, and win games."

On the team's performance against Carlisle, Rodgers says: "No matter what league a team is from, when they defend like Carlisle did it can be very difficult to break down. We wanted to be more creative and we're getting into good areas, but we need to be more clinical."

Well, that's all from Rodgers this week. The manager was obviously keen to dismiss speculation that he could be fired in the coming days, insisting that he can turn around his side's form.

The loss of Firmino will be a blow, he has a cracked bone in his back, while Benteke will be no doubt disappointed to miss a reunion with his old club has he continues to battle a hamstring injury.

That's all from our coverage of this press conference, but join us again tomorrow to see if Liverpool can secure their first win in five matches in the league. Until then, thanks for joining me this morning. Goodbye.