Mohamed Salah is back in contention for Liverpool’s meeting against Marseille, but will Arne Slot throw his winger straight back into the starting lineup after a seven-game absence?
The January schedule does not slow down, with the Reds quickly moving on from the frustrating draw against Burnley to focus their attention on Ligue 1’s Marseille.
Thankfully, no new injury concerns emerged over the weekend, but while Salah was welcomed back into the fold, there are doubts over Ibrahima Konate‘s availability.
There is plenty of importance on getting points on the board in the penultimate league phase match, but how could Slot line up on Wednesday evening? Let’s take a look.
Liverpool team news vs. Marseille: Salah and Konate latest
Liverpool’s Predicted XI vs. Marseille
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 27, 2025: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike is substituted for Cody Gakpo (L) during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
With no guarantees over whether Konate will be involved, Joe Gomez is pencilled in to partner Virgil van Dijk for only the second time this season from the start.
There is likely to be consistency at full-back with Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, and further up the pitch as well, with potentially just one change across the midfield and forward line.
Curtis Jones could drop to the bench – he is at risk of suspension – with Alexis Mac Allister taking his place in the XI after playing only 12 minutes against Burnley.
This would keep Slot’s favoured left winger Cody Gakpo in the side, Florian Wirtz as the creator, and Hugo Ekitike leading the attack with Dominik Szoboszlai to his right.
Salah is fit to be involved, but it feels unlikely he will be thrown in from the start having failed to do so in the last 12 for Liverpool, seven of which were due to AFCON.
This is how Liverpool could line up:
Alisson; Frimpong, Gomez, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Salah did not start any of the five games preceding his AFCON involvement, but there is reason to inject him straight back into the side if Slot views moments of brilliance as the route to goal.
He hasn’t performed to the level he expects of himself this season, but after asking plenty of his other players in his absence, Slot could do worse than to turn to the Egyptian.
On the other side, Gakpo could drop to the bench with Wirtz filling his position to leave Szoboszlai in the hole behind the forward line.
The side would be otherwise unchanged from the abovementioned lineup, with that only to change if Konate was available on the day of the match:
Alisson; Frimpong, Gomez, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike
Liverpool have not had the most consistent of Premier League seasons, but they have performed somewhat better on the European stage, winning four of their six games so far.
It is key to avoid the two-legged playoff round and at least four points from the final two games are likely to be needed, but starting off with three would at least put pressure on others.
Slot’s side are 12 games unbeaten but their performances leave you questioning which team will show up. Hopefully, for us, it is one capable of putting up a winning scoreline!