Image source: theguardian.com
Liverpool are in talks with Mohamed Salah over the forward making an immediate return to Arne Slot’s squad for their Champions League trip to Marseille next week, despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding his future at Anfield after recent public criticism of the club and manager.
Liverpool Consider Drafting Mohamed Salah Straight Back Into Squad for Marseille
Salah is due back at Liverpool after Egypt’s involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations ends on Saturday. Egypt face Nigeria in a third-place play-off in Casablanca after suffering another loss to a Sadio Mané-inspired Senegal in the semi-finals. The 33-year-old travelled to Morocco with uncertainty surrounding his future having accused the club of throwing him “under the bus” after a poor run of results and claiming he no longer had a relationship with Slot.
With Alexander Isak sidelined with a leg fracture and Slot’s options limited on the right of his attack, Liverpool’s head coach hopes Salah can be involved in Wednesday’s fixture in the south of France. “That is something we are talking about together now,” Slot said. “He is back next week. We are in talks with him about what is expected of him over there, what is expected over here. But first of all he needs to play another big game for Egypt on Saturday.”
Slot expressed his satisfaction at Salah’s return despite their recent difficulties. “I am happy that he comes back. Mo has been so important for this club, for me, so I am happy that he is back. Even if I had 15 attackers I still would have been happy if he came back but that is not our current situation.” Liverpool are unbeaten in the 11 matches since Slot first dropped Salah at West Ham.
The Liverpool manager would not be drawn on whether the issues between Salah and himself have been resolved during his five weeks on international duty. “What happens between Mo and me, on the phone or over here, stays between the two of us and I don’t think it is necessary for me to share all the private conversations I have,” Slot said. The forward’s potential involvement against Marseille will depend on ongoing discussions between player and club.
Meanwhile, Slot has insisted Liverpool will not panic buy this month but could act if their injury situation worsens or the right opportunity arises. The Premier League champions saw a £35m deal for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi collapse last deadline day and have since lost two defenders, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni, to season-ending knee injuries. Despite those injuries Liverpool did not revive their interest in Guéhi, who is close to joining Manchester City for £20m.
