Salah return offers timely boost for Slot and Liverpool momentum
Liverpool’s season has drifted into an uneasy holding pattern, performances steady but lacking incision, results respectable yet unconvincing. Into that space steps Mohamed Salah, back from Africa Cup of Nations duty, and back carrying both expectation and consequence. As reported by the Daily Mail, Arne Slot cut a notably upbeat figure when discussing the Egyptian’s return, repeatedly stressing his satisfaction while carefully sidestepping deeper questions about their relationship.
The optics matter. Six weeks ago, Salah’s post match frustration felt combustible, interpreted by some as a challenge to Slot’s authority. Now, handshakes have replaced tension, goals have flowed again for Egypt, and Liverpool’s most decisive figure is once more available to convert control into outcomes.
Slot was unequivocal in his public tone. “I am really happy and pleased he is back,” he said, a phrase he returned to several times, as if repetition might drown out lingering doubts. The subtext was clear, Liverpool have coped, but only just.
Creativity without conviction exposes Salah absence
Statistically, Slot is correct in his defence. Liverpool have been difficult to beat in Salah’s absence, conceding few clear chances and controlling possession in most fixtures. Yet control without ruthlessness has defined their recent run. Four draws from five matches in 2026 underline a team that dominates territory but fails to decide games.
Slot acknowledged as much, saying, “If you create more and more, then it is really helpful to have Mohamed Salah.” Helpful feels understated. Without him, Liverpool have lacked the final act, the sense that one moment will tilt the balance.
The manager even reached into club history to emphasise Salah’s standing. “There has only been one (alive Liverpool player past or present) who scored more for this club but I don’t think I can play Ian Rush still! Then it is really helpful to have him back.” The humour landed, but the message was serious. Players of Salah’s calibre change the emotional temperature of matches.
Reflecting on a recent stalemate, Slot added, “We will never know but the amount of chances and ball possession against Burnley (on Saturday)… with Mo we would usually score more.”
Slot addresses rift speculation with selection hint
The most pointed questions concerned the relationship itself. Slot refused to indulge the narrative, choosing instead to defer to actions. “Let’s see for the line up tomorrow if you still think there’s an issue,” he said, before adding, “He went to Afcon and did what he usually does and scored goals, unfortunately Egypt couldn’t win, and now he’s back with us.”
It was a careful answer, neither denial nor admission, but framed to close the discussion quickly. Selection will speak louder than words, particularly in Marseille, where Liverpool face a demanding European atmosphere.
The predicted line up places Salah straight back into the starting XI, a clear indication of trust. His presence also sharpens those around him, stretching defences and giving purpose to Liverpool’s ball retention.
Marseille challenge sharpens focus on season direction
Victory at the Velodrome would represent more than three points. It would edge Liverpool closer to Champions League qualification and restore momentum to a campaign that has threatened to stagnate. Slot will be without Ibrahima Konate, absent due to family matters, but the spine of the side remains intact.
Away from the pitch, Slot brushed aside speculation linking Xabi Alonso with his job, mocking the suggestion. “Yes he called me and said, ‘what do you think about the team because I am going to take over in six months, can you tell me a little bit more?!’” He concluded, “This is one of the weirdest questions I ever got.”
The humour was pointed. Slot knows the noise exists, but he also knows that results, not rumours, shape reality. Salah’s return offers the most direct route to changing the narrative.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, Salah’s return feels less like a boost and more like a necessity. The numbers say the team has coped, but watching the matches tells a different story. There has been control without menace, dominance without fear. Too many games have drifted into draws that felt avoidable.
Slot deserves credit for stabilising the side defensively and for maintaining composure amid external noise. However, supporters are not blind to the reality that this project still leans heavily on Salah. That is not a criticism of the manager, but a reflection of the player’s unique standing at the club.
The talk of a rift felt overblown, but it mattered because leadership dynamics matter at Liverpool. Seeing Slot speak positively, even repeatedly, suggests an understanding that unity must be visible as well as functional. Selection in Marseille will matter, not only tactically but symbolically.
There is also a sense that Salah’s return should lift standards across the pitch. Players like Szoboszlai and Mac Allister thrive when there is a clear focal point ahead of them. With Champions League qualification on the line, this feels like a moment where the season either sharpens or slips.
Supporters are not demanding perfection, but they want conviction. Salah brings that, not only through goals, but through belief. If Slot and Salah are aligned, Liverpool’s ceiling remains high.
