Arne Slot drops Mohamed Salah selection hint as Liverpool forward returns

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot dropped a huge hint that Mohamed Salah would start in the Champions League against Marseille in his first match since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Salah was included in the travelling squad, which flew to the south of France after finishing fourth with Egypt on Saturday.

That was at least better than their previous European game against Inter Milan when the 33-year-old was left at home following his explosive comments after the 3-3 draw with Leeds.

He accused the club of throwing him “under the bus” after results took a dive, suggested he had no relationship with Slot and questioned his future.

Salah returned as a first-half substitute against Brighton but left for Morocco with his position still under a cloud.

Marseille is the first chance to gauge whether there has been much progress on that front.

Asked about his current relationship with Salah, Slot said: “As normal as it’s always been, with one exception and that was Inter.

“Let’s see for the line-up tomorrow if you still think there’s an issue. I spoke to him today and I’m happy to have him back.

“There’s been a moment in the season where I decided not to play Mo and one moment where I decided not to take him to the game.

“For all the other games he’s been in the squad and was the first substitution against Brighton so at that moment of time, there’s never been an issue for me.”

Salah’s absence may have been beneficial to him as the team’s 12-match unbeaten run has been far from convincing, with four of their six draws coming in the last five matches.

With Liverpool struggling to finish off opponents the Egyptian, whose last club goal came on November 1, has an opportunity to make an impact after scoring four in six AFCON