“I’ve spoken to him…” — Arne Slot offers a revealing clue about a Liverpool star’s potential role
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has strongly suggested that Mohamed Salah could be set for increased involvement now that he has returned from AFCON.
The Egyptian forward had previously slipped down the pecking order following a drop in form earlier in the campaign, a situation that reportedly sparked a public disagreement between player and manager. However, those tensions now appear to have eased, with Slot indicating that Salah is very much back in his plans — potentially starting in tonight’s Champions League clash with Marseille.
Speaking to BBC Sport, the Dutchman addressed his attacking options and dismissed the idea of any lingering issues with Salah.
Slot admitted he was delighted to welcome the forward back, noting that while Liverpool coped reasonably well defensively during his absence and gradually improved creatively, Salah’s presence is a major boost once chances begin to flow. He highlighted Salah’s historic goal record at the club, joking that only the legendary Ian Rush has scored more — and that he’s hardly an option anymore.
The Liverpool boss stressed that everything between him and Salah has returned to normal, aside from one isolated incident earlier in the season. He also revealed he had spoken to Salah on the day and underlined how important he remains, pointing out that only Salah and Cody Gakpo have logged significant minutes as wingers in the Premier League this season.
Slot acknowledged that players like Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz can operate wide, but neither considers those roles their preferred positions. He also underlined Salah’s remarkable Champions League record, noting his 45 goals in the competition for Liverpool — a figure far ahead of any current teammate — and expressed hope that Salah can rediscover those heights again.
With Liverpool’s domestic campaign falling well short of expectations and their title hopes effectively gone, attention may now turn to Europe. The Champions League offers a potential lifeline, especially given the club’s rich history in the competition, having lifted the trophy six times and reached three finals under Jurgen Klopp.
Slot may look to draw inspiration from that European pedigree to give supporters something to celebrate in what has otherwise been a frustrating season for the Reds.