Mohamed Salah: Arne Slot confirms Liverpool star in contention to play after return from AFCON - 'Happy to have him'

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Mohamed Salah is set to be back in contention to play for Liverpool when he returns from AFCON, according to manager Arne Slot. Salah and his Egypt team-mates were unable to reach the final after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Senegal in the last four. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Slot confirmed that Salah will be in contention to play on his return next week.

'Happy to have him back' - Slot on Salah returning from AFCON

Video credit: SNTV

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that Mohamed Salah will be available for selection after he returns from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Salah has been away on international duty with Egypt, but suffered heartbreak on Wednesday after his side fell to a 1-0 defeat to Senegal in the semi-finals with former Liverpool team-mate Sadio Mane scoring the winning goal.

The Liverpool star scored four goals in five games at the tournament this year, but the defeat means that Salah is still searching for his first AFCON title with his nation.

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Salah is likely to feature on Saturday when Egypt face Nigeria in the third-round play-off before he returns to Merseyside.

The 33-year-old will miss Liverpool's Premier League game against Burnley at Anfield on Saturday, but Slot confirmed that the Egyptian will be in contention to play for the club again next week.

"First of all, he plays a big game for Egypt on Saturday, and then he comes back to us," he said.

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"I am happy he comes back. Mo has been so important for this club and me, so I am happy he is back. Even if I had 15 attackers, I would be happy to see Mo back, but that is not our situation.

"Happy to have him back after an important game tomorrow."

Salah's future at Anfield remains uncertain in the January transfer window following his explosive comments after the Leeds game where he claimed that he had been "thrown under the bus" by the club and that his relationship with Slot had broken down.

Following his interview, Salah was left out of the UEFA Champions League win at Internazionale before he played, and provided an assist, in Liverpool's victory over Brighton before heading off to AFCON.

Since Salah last started for Liverpool, the team have enjoyed an unbeaten run of 11 games in all competitions and most recently reached the FA Cup fourth round following a 4-1 win over Barnsley.

However, Slot hinted that there is space for Salah in the starting line-up when Liverpool face Marseille in Europe next week.

"Next week [Salah will return], we are in talks with him and what is expected of him over there and over here," he explained.

"He has an important game on Saturday, and then he will be back with us. We are talking together about [the Marseille game] now."

Slot added: "What happens with Mo and me on our phone or over here stays with us two.

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"I don't [think] it is necessary for me to share the details of the private conversations I have either on phone or here with any of my players."

Slot also confirmed that there is no issue with midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai following his error in the FA Cup win against Barnsley which was labelled as "unbelievable" and "arrogant" at the time.

He said: "I spoke to Dom, it's all sorted. It was not his best thing he has done for Liverpool, but he also had some good moments during that game as well.

"He scored a great goal and had an unbelievable cross towards Florian Wirtz who almost scored, but that moment wasn't his best for Liverpool."

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