Arne Slot expressed his excitement about Mohamed Salah’s return to the squad following the conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations, anticipating that Liverpool will start scoring more goals now that he is back on the team.
Salah left for the AFCON amid uncertainty regarding his future after a controversial interview raised questions, but in his latest appearance for the Reds—a 2-0 victory against Brighton in the Premier League—he provided an assist.
Since Salah’s departure, Liverpool has remained unbeaten in their last seven matches across all competitions. However, they have drawn their last four league matches, including a recent stalemate against Burnley, despite attempting 32 shots during that game.
While Salah finished last season with an impressive tally of 47 goal contributions (29 goals, 18 assists) in the Premier League for 2024-2025, he has only scored five times in all competitions this season.
Slot believes that Salah’s reinstatement in the attacking lineup will sharpen their offense, as he returns in time for the team’s Champions League clash with Marseille. “I am really happy and thrilled that he is back,” Slot said of Salah. “We are creating more and more chances, and it is definitely a plus when you have Mo Salah.”
He highlighted Salah’s noteworthy scoring record, pointing out that only one player has scored more for the club than Salah, and emphasized that, with the number of chances created against Burnley, they could have had more goals. “Creating chances is good, but we are judged solely on the result,” Slot remarked.
Liverpool has triumphed in their past three encounters with Marseille in the Champions League, the latest being in the 2008-2009 group stage. Currently, the Reds are on the edge of direct qualification slots, and a victory for Roberto De Zerbi’s team would push them ahead in the standings, potentially sealing Liverpool’s fate and sending them into the playoffs.
Slot also praised his upcoming adversary, expecting a challenging test against Marseille. “I consider him one of the best coaches in the world,” Slot said regarding the Italian coach. “This should not only be judged by trophies but also by how your team plays. He is working at a very big club. If I were recruiting, he would be at the top of my list.”
With Salah’s return and the team’s determination, Liverpool fans can remain optimistic about the upcoming fixtures and their quest for improved performances in the league and Champions League.