By Ehichoya Omo-Imhanfiabor
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has underlined the continued importance of Mohamed Salah to the club, insisting he would welcome the Egyptian forward back into the squad regardless of how many attacking options were available.
Slot made the remarks ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League fixture against Burnley at Anfield, as Salah prepares to return from Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) duty with Egypt.
“Even if I had 15 attackers, I’d still have been happy if he came back,” Slot said. “Mo has been so important for this club, and for me, so I am happy that he is back.”
The Dutch coach explained that Salah is expected to rejoin the Liverpool squad after Egypt’s next AFCON match on Saturday, although a final decision on his immediate involvement in club fixtures has yet to be taken.
“First of all, he needs to play another big game for Egypt on Saturday, and then he comes back to us,” Slot said. “We are talking together about what is expected of him over there and what is expected over here.”
Liverpool have coped well in Salah’s absence, remaining unbeaten in six matches since the winger left for international duty and winning three of those games. The Reds face Burnley this weekend before travelling to France to take on Marseille in the Champions League next Wednesday.
Slot confirmed that discussions are ongoing over whether Salah will feature in the European tie or be rested until Liverpool’s Premier League encounter away to Bournemouth on January 24.
“We are in talks about that now,” he said. “Next week he will be back.”
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Salah, who has scored 250 goals in 421 appearances for Liverpool, was involved in a widely reported disagreement with Slot last month. However, the manager declined to address the issue publicly.
“What happens between Mo and me stays between the two of us,” Slot said. “I don’t think it is necessary to share private conversations.”
The forward’s return is expected to further boost Liverpool’s attacking strength, especially with record signing Alexander Isak sidelined for several months following surgery on a fractured left leg. Slot confirmed there are no fresh injury concerns within the squad, with Isak, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni remaining the club’s only long-term absentees.
As Liverpool continue to juggle domestic and European commitments, Slot’s comments signal both confidence in his squad depth and the enduring value of Salah as a key figure in the team’s ambitions.