Liverpool manager Arne Slot has said he would gladly welcome Mohamed Salah back to the club even if he had “15 attackers” at his disposal, as the Egypt forward prepares to conclude his Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
Salah is expected to feature in Egypt’s third-place play-off against Nigeria in Morocco on Saturday, following his side’s exit from the tournament. His anticipated return to Anfield has attracted significant attention amid lingering questions over his relationship with the club after a public dispute earlier in the season.
The 32-year-old forward sparked controversy in early December when he criticised Liverpool in a candid interview, accusing the club of throwing him “under the bus” after he was left on the bench for three consecutive matches. Salah also revealed at the time that he had no personal relationship with Slot, fuelling speculation about his long-term future at Anfield.
Tensions appeared to ease days later when Salah came off the bench in Liverpool’s 2–0 Premier League win over Brighton on December 13, providing an assist. Slot subsequently indicated that the matter had been resolved internally.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool’s league clash against Burnley on Saturday, Slot expressed clear enthusiasm about Salah’s imminent return.
“First of all, he needs to play another big game for Egypt on Saturday,” Slot said. “Then he comes back to us, and I’m happy that he comes back. Mo has been so important for this club, and for me, so I’m happy that he’s back.”
The Dutchman underlined Salah’s importance by adding: “Even if I had 15 attackers, I still would have been happy if he would have come back. That’s not our situation, of course, so I’m happy to have him back after the important game he still has to play.”
Salah’s campaign this season has marked a sharp contrast to his prolific form last year. He finished the previous campaign as the Premier League’s top scorer with 29 goals, helping Liverpool secure a record-equalling 20th league title. This season, however, he has scored just four league goals, a downturn that coincided with his public criticism of the club and subsequent benching.
Slot confirmed that Salah is expected to rejoin first-team action next week. “Next week,” he said. “We’re in talks with him about what is expected of him over there and what we expect here. But first he has an important game on Saturday, and then he’ll be back with us.”
Liverpool face a demanding schedule after the weekend, with a Champions League fixture against Marseille on Wednesday, followed by a Premier League trip to Bournemouth next weekend.
The champions endured a turbulent spell earlier in the season, suffering six defeats in seven league matches from late September, a run that threatened to derail their title defence and placed Slot under pressure following his succession of Jürgen Klopp.
However, the manager has since overseen a strong recovery, guiding Liverpool to an 11-match unbeaten run in all competitions. The upturn in form has lifted the club to fourth place in the Premier League, though they remain some distance behind the leaders.
