Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that Mohamed Salah is available for selection for Wednesday’s Champions League visit to Marseille, offering a significant boost to the club’s attacking options.
Salah could make his first start for the Reds since 26 November, prior to an interview in which he criticised Slot, accusing the club of throwing him “under the bus” after being benched for three consecutive games. The Egyptian forward also stated that he had no relationship with the Dutch manager.
However, Salah returned as a substitute in a 2-0 Premier League win against Brighton on 13 December before travelling to represent Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, where he helped his side reach the semi-finals.
“Let’s see, for the line-up tomorrow, if you still think there’s an issue. I spoke to him today, and I’m happy to have him back,” Slot said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
“There’s been a moment in the season where I decided not to play Mo, and one moment where I decided not to take him to the game. For all the other games he’s been in the squad and was the first substitution against Brighton, so at that moment, there’s never been an issue for me.”
Salah remains Liverpool’s third-highest goalscorer of all time with 250 goals in 421 appearances, having won two Premier League titles and the Champions League since his move from Roma in 2017. Last year, he signed a new two-year contract and played a key role in Liverpool securing a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title.
This season, however, Salah has struggled for form, scoring only five goals in all competitions. With Liverpool’s style of play under scrutiny and the injury to striker Alexander Isak, Slot is hoping the return of Salah will strengthen the team’s attacking output.
“He went to AFCON and did what he usually does and scored goals,” Slot added. “In his absence, I think we have done quite well in terms of hardly conceding any chances and starting to create more and more…then it is really helpful to have Mohamed Salah.”
Liverpool are currently 11th in the league phase of the Champions League. Only the top eight teams qualify automatically for the last 16, while those finishing ninth to 24th enter a play-off round. Wednesday’s fixture against Marseille represents a crucial opportunity for the Reds to improve their standing in Europe.
