Every word: Ruben's Europa League final presser

The availability of our injured players against Tottenham, ex-Reds boss Jose Mourinho and what winning the trophy would mean going forward were all points of discussion with a Theatre of Dreams auditorium packed full of journalists hoping to get nuggets of insight from the boss, seven days before the big game in Bilbao.

Before then, of course, is a Premier League trip to Chelsea and Amorim also answered questions more specifically geared towards Friday's clash at Stamford Bridge in a second part of the media briefing, which you will be able to see across our platforms from 13:30 BST on Thursday (15 May).

In the meantime, you can read - and watch - the bumper first section in full below...

Hi Ruben. Out at training today we noticed some of the defenders were missing, you've got a week to the final. What's the situation with Yoro, De Ligt and Heaven?
 
"I don't know if they are going to be available. We are going to try and push because it's the final matches and this is a final, you know that.  All the players want to play that really bad. I don't know, I think they will not go to Chelsea, but we will have a possibility to have some of them for the final."
 
Does the same go for Diogo Dalot?
 
"Dalot is trying really bad. I don't want to risk Dalot because when you start getting one injury, second injury [follows] and it's a big thing. We cannot have these kinds of problems in our squad. So, we will see, but he's working really hard to get in the final."
 
Over the last 24-48 hours since you saw us on Sunday there's been a lot of stories about not having the parade, about the ticket situation for the final, about you personally paying so members of staff's families can go to the game. First of all, what has led to you making that personal gesture? And what is the collective spirit in the football club?
 
"To start with that [paying for staff], the situation is simple. You know we had a lot of things, people leaving, a lot of changing in the staff. In this moment, for our club, sometimes it's hard to understand when to give, when to take, to respect the people we are taking their jobs in certain moments to survive and to rebuild. It's hard and it's complicated for the club to start giving to other members of staff, so it's a really hard position. Then, that situation was explained and in that moment my reaction was to help because it's not going to change my life. To help the staff be there and to be comfortable, to be better staff for the final. Then, they talk to the players and the players had the same reaction. Everybody wants the staff there the families there. But it's hard to manage things in our club, so it's a simple thing."

Do you feel as though the spirit is there? You said some very harsh things on Sunday, do you feel as though everybody is moving in the same direction?
 
"A final is different but you can understand this season has been really tough on everybody. The results and also the changing in the staff, and you can feel it in our club. We are addressing that during the season, we are changing the way we play during the season. We had so many bad results in the Premier League. So, the environment is tough in the moment but I guarantee you, when we are preparing in the Europa League, the environment is different and you can feel the excitement. But you can understand the environment this year is really tough."
 
I think you said on Sunday that if results carried on, maybe someone else would have the chance [as head coach]. Do you seriously see yourself walking away from this club having been given this opportunity?
 
"What I'm saying is since I arrived here, I'm always talking about the standards and I cannot see the team having these results, especially in the Premier League, and not say nothing and not take the responsibility. I have a clear idea what to do, I understand the problems of the team, so I'm far from quitting. What I'm saying is we need to perform. [If] we had this season in the future, we need to perform, or else they will change us. That is a normal thing. Especially after a match, that was my feeling and it still is my feeling today."
 
Ruben, what will be more important to you personally: winning a trophy or getting this club into the Champions League?
 
"Personally, for me, I think Champions League is more important, for everything. To prepare the next season. We are supposed to be in the Champions League, Europa League here is not enough. You have that feeling here. This is the best way to help us get in the top in a few years, is Champions League, not the title or the cup. So, for me, Champions League is more important."

You and the players have spoken about physicality in the Europa League being a bit easier to cope with. How do you then approach playing Spurs who are a Premier League team? I know the context is different but it'll be a different challenge...
 
"Yeah, we'll play a different game. It's not the same to play against Real Sociedad, or even Lyon or Athletic Bilbao. It's going to be different. But we are prepared for that. The final is completely different, the context is different, the cup is there. We can see the cup. Even the last years with [Erik] ten Hag, with some problems, when they reach the final they were there. You guys know that. This team proved already that in the final they can step up and we know that."
 
When you talked about identity a few days ago and getting used to losing matches at home, is that equally frustrating that the team can perform in these big games - and they have done so far - and in other games they aren't?
 
"It's more profound than that. I understand the context. I understand that we are not fighting for nothing [in the Premier League] and we are focusing on Europa League but we cannot get used to that. So, if I have to say that every week, I will say that every week. That is my job. I am manager of this big club and that is a problem [not winning] that is not okay. Even if it's a pre-season match, we need to win it."
 
Jose Mourinho was the last manager to win this trophy with Manchester United, what would it mean for you to replicate that? Also, have you spoke to him at all?
 
"About this final? No. He has a big job also with Fenerbahce. I didn't speak with him. It would be massive for us to win something to give something to the fans. It's not important to me if I follow Jose Mourinho or another manager. For me, the most important thing is just how this title could help us to get back to the top faster. That's the most important thing."

You said on Sunday you don't know what's best, playing in the Champions League or not. Clearly the club historically needs to be in the Champions League, there's huge revenue benefits for transfers and things around it. But if you're not in it next year you'll have a lot more time on the training ground, a lot more time to prepare for the Premier League, a lot more time to focus on that. In terms of where the club is at, at this moment, forget historically, would it be better for long-term progress if you're not in the Champions League?
 
"That is my feeling. We explained quite well, that is my feeling. We need more time with the team. We need to arrange a lot of things in Carrington, more time not thinking game by game by game. Then you have the squad. We proved this year we need to be a better squad if we want to win European games and then be really competitive in the Premier League. It's going to be tough, but my feeling is that."
 
Clearly you want to win the game on Wednesday but if you don't and you get to next season, is it potentially not as bad as it seems?
 
"It's going to be really bad. I don't want to use that as an excuse and the patience of the fans and you guys if we don't win it, next year, is going to be in the limit. We have to be perfect to continue everything, I know that. So, it's not better in that way."
 
In other ways it would increase the pressure on you?

"For sure. If we don't win, that is clear but I'm not concerned about that."
 
You've just spoken there about the patience of the fans, how important is the connection with the fans and do you have a message to send to them ahead of this really important game, a European final?
 
"It's hard to have a message. You can see it every Sunday here, they're always supporting the team. We lost a lot of games, I think it was nine at home this season. They are always here, always supporting the manager. So, I have nothing to say. The connection with the supporters is really important, especially in this kind of club, in our club. It can be a game-changer. So, to build that connection is with hard work, to run a lot and to win titles. We have one title to win it so let's try to win it."

Just on the fans, they've got a very catchy song about you. I know in the past you've said that you don't think you deserve to have a song but if you win the final, would you consider singing it on the pitch?
 
"No, I will not sing it. They do not deserve that. The feeling would be really good because I'll feel I helped in something to this club. To win something. It'll be really good feeling to give back to the fans but I need to prove a lot more for the right to a song."
 
I just wanted to ask you about your experience in finals, you had three finals in Portugal and you won them all. Do you prepare any differently? Do you have a special message for your team?
 
"No, that is the easiest part. I just prepare the games in the same way. We pay attention to the details, we give all the information we can without giving too much. So I prepare the game in the same way, the only way I know how."
 
Just on your team, you've got a couple of results in the biggest games at Anfield, at the Emirates Stadium, home and away to Man City, do you back them in a final with so much at stake?

"I think it's a thing of our players also, they proved in the past in these kind of games that they are prepared to do that. They have experience, so we'll be prepared for the game."
 
You yourself were a runner-up in this competition in your playing days, I just wonder if there's any part of your involvement in that final that you've used to help your team prepare for this one?
 
"No, it's just that feeling that I played the final as a player but I lost, and it doesn't matter anything. You will never say you were a finalist [if you lost]. So, you have to win the final, no matter what. The feeling is going to be like: 'What a waste of time' if you lose the final. And the pain will be tougher in the final. So, my message to the players is that we need to win it or it doesn't matter."