LIVERPOOL: Liverpool manager Arne Slot has said he is happy to welcome Mohamed Salah back to the squad after the forward’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) duty with Egypt, even joking that he would have welcomed him back “if he had 15 attackers.”
Read More: Mo Salah focused on Egypt success at AFCON
Salah is set to play in Egypt’s third-place play-off against Nigeria on Saturday in Morocco, marking the final stage of his AFCON campaign. The forward’s return has drawn attention following an explosive interview in early December in which he accused Liverpool of sidelining him and claimed a strained relationship with Slot.
”Happy to have him back after he has an important game to play”
Arne Slot on Mohamed Salah returning from the African Cup of Nations after Liverpool face Burnley this weekend 🇪🇬 pic.twitter.com/CNQzRbI2iQ
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 16, 2026
The Egypt striker appeared as a substitute in Liverpool’s 2-0 Premier League win against Brighton on December 13, providing an assist, with Slot later insisting that the club had moved on from the controversy.
At his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s clash with Burnley, Slot said: “First of all, he needs to play another big game for Egypt on Saturday. And then he comes back to us, and I’m happy that he comes back. Mo has been so important for this club, for me, so I’m happy that he’s back.”
Salah won the Premier League Golden Boot last season with 29 goals, helping Liverpool secure their 20th league title, but has scored just four league goals so far in the current campaign. Slot confirmed that discussions were ongoing about Salah’s workload following AFCON, and expects him to rejoin training next week.
Read More: Mo Salah helps 10-man Egypt beat South Africa and book AFCON
Liverpool are scheduled to face Olympique de Marseille in the Champions League on Wednesday, followed by a Premier League trip to Bournemouth. After a difficult start to the season, including six defeats in seven league matches from late September, Slot has guided the club to an 11-game unbeaten run across all competitions.