Arne Slot Drops Major Bombshell About Mohamed Salah's Fate for Marseille Clash
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has indicated that Mohamed Salah is likely to feature in the starting eleven for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Marseille.
Salah has returned from international duty with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations this week, immediately reviving discussions about his position under Slot that had been temporarily shelved during his absence with the national team.
It was just before his international departure that Salah's public comments criticizing Slot made headlines. The Liverpool manager has, nevertheless, consistently worked to resolve the situation by stating that both parties have settled their differences.
Now back and ready for selection, Salah looks poised to make a swift return to Slot's first-team lineup.
"There was a point in the season when I chose not to start Mo," Slot explained when questioned about whether he had discussed the matter with Salah recently. "And one occasion where I decided not to include him in the matchday squad [against Inter].
"For every other match, he's been available and was the first player brought on against Brighton, so at that time, there was never a problem from my perspective.
"The first opportunity he's available for selection again, he is because he trained today and is included in the squad for [Marseille]. Check tomorrow's team sheet if you still believe there's a problem."
Slot: Salah Can Help Profligate Liverpool
Slot: Salah Can Help Profligate Liverpool
While representing Egypt, Salah found the net four times in six appearances, coming just one goal short of his total with Liverpool through the opening 20 matches of this season.
His disappointing form has been a major talking point for Slot's team, who have stabilized their results but continue to face challenges in converting chances. Liverpool head into the Marseille fixture having drawn four of their previous five encounters.
With Liverpool now more solid defensively, Slot highlighted Salah as a potential answer to their attacking woes, which have led to criticism that the Reds have become "boring."
"Having Mo back is certainly beneficial because during his absence we've generated numerous opportunities but haven't always finished them," Slot commented.
"I noticed today that Mo has scored 46 goals for Liverpool in the Champions League while the next highest is Virgil van Dijk with five. So it's great to have him back, particularly if he can return to the form that produced those 46 goals."