Arne Slot hints Mohamed Salah will start for Liverpool in Marseille

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has hinted Mohamed Salah will be part of the starting XI against Marseille in Wednesday’s Champions League match.

Salah’s future at Anfield has been thrown into doubt after his stunning comments last month.

He accused the club of ‘throwing him under the bus’ and said his relationship with Slot has collapsed.

The Egyptian was dropped against Inter Milan after the explosive interview.

He returned to the squad and helped his team win against Brighton & Hove Albion before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Slot confirmed the 33-year-old will be in the squad for Wednesday’s away fixture, insisting he is ‘happy’ to have the forward available again.

“I am really happy and pleased he is back,” he said. “In his absence I think we have done quite OK in terms of hardly conceding any chances and starting to create more and more.

“If you create more and more, then it is really helpful to have Mohamed Salah . There has only been one who scored more for this club [who is alive] but I don’t think I can play Ian Rush still! Then it is really helpful to have him back.”

Salah is on the wrong side of 30, but it appears age is having no effect on him.

He was excellent for Egypt at the AFCON, scoring four goals in six matches to help his team to the semi-final of the competition.

The winger’s future at Liverpool has been a source of speculation, with Saudi Arabia prepared to make a huge offer to bring him to the Middle East.

But the Reds fully expect him to stay at the club until at least the summer .

It is hoped Salah’s situation will settle down and he stays until his contract expires in 2027.

A summer exit is also possible if the two parties do not sort out the issues.

Stats from Transfermarkt