A hint that speaks volumes

The message was subtle, but impossible to ignore. Arne Slot strongly hinted that Mohamed Salah will be part of Liverpool’s starting XI when they face Olympique de Marseille in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash.

Speaking ahead of the away fixture, the Liverpool manager welcomed the Egyptian’s return after his AFCON campaign and made it clear how important he remains to the team. “I am really happy and pleased he is back,” Slot said, setting the tone for what appears to be a reset moment.

From public tension to tactical necessity

Salah’s situation at Liverpool has been under intense scrutiny. Last month, the forward shocked fans by claiming the club had “thrown him under the bus” and that his relationship with Slot had collapsed. The fallout was immediate: Salah was dropped for the match against Inter Milan.

Since then, the narrative has slowly shifted. He returned to the squad, played a key role in a win over Brighton, and then departed for the Africa Cup of Nations. Now back from international duty, his reintegration appears to be complete.

Slot even highlighted how Salah’s presence elevates the team: “If you create more and more, then it is really helpful to have Mohamed Salah,” he explained, underlining the forward’s decisive value in the final third.

AFCON form strengthens his case

Salah’s performances with Egypt national football team only reinforced his status. He scored four goals in six matches at the AFCON, helping Egypt reach the semi-finals and reminding everyone of his consistency on the biggest stages.

That form, combined with Liverpool’s need for efficiency in Europe, makes his expected start in Marseille feel less like a gamble and more like a necessity.

Future questions remain, but not for now

Despite strong interest from Saudi Arabia and ongoing speculation about his long-term future, Liverpool expect Salah to remain at the club at least until the summer. The hope inside Anfield is that tensions cool and the forward sees out his contract, which runs until 2027.

For now, however, the focus is clear. In a demanding Champions League away night, Mohamed Salah looks ready to reclaim center stage — and Arne Slot seems more than happy to put the spotlight back on him.

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