Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, has said he would gladly welcome Mohamed Salah back into his squad, regardless of how many attacking options he has, as the Egypt star edges closer to returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Salah is expected to feature for Egypt in the third-place playoff against Nigeria in Morocco on Saturday, after which he will rejoin his club.
His return has attracted widespread attention following a controversial interview in early December, where the forward publicly criticised Liverpool.
Salah accused the club of throwing him “under the bus” after he was left out of three consecutive matches and claimed he had no relationship with Slot.
However, the situation appeared to cool when Salah came off the bench in Liverpool’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Brighton on December 13, providing an assist. Slot later insisted the club had moved past the issue.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s league clash against Burnley, Slot was asked about the Egyptian’s impending return.
“First of all, he needs to play another big game for Egypt on Saturday,” said the Dutchman.
“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.
“Because even if I had 15 attackers I still would have been happy if he would have come back, but that’s not our current situation. So I’m happy to have him back after an important game that he still has to play.”
Salah, who won the Premier League Golden Boot last season after scoring 29 goals and helping Liverpool secure a record-equalling 20th league title, has struggled for form this campaign, managing just four league goals so far.
Slot was also asked when Salah could be available for selection again.
“Next week,” he said. “We’re in talks with him, what is expected of him over there and what we expect over here.
“But first of all, he needs to have an important game on Saturday, and next week he will be back with us.”
Liverpool face Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille in the Champions League on Wednesday before travelling to Bournemouth next weekend.
After a disastrous run of six defeats in seven league matches earlier in the season derailed their title defence, Slot has overseen a strong recovery, with the Reds now unbeaten in 11 games across all competitions.
