By LEWIS STEELE, FOOTBALL REPORTER
Published: 15:35 EST, 20 January 2026 | Updated: 15:35 EST, 20 January 2026
Six weeks ago, it felt like Mohamed Salah was trying to oust Arne Slot as Liverpool head coach by using his explosive words as a power-play.
Now, a few handshakes, apologies and goals for Egypt later, Salah could be the man to save Slot's job and ease pressure after a poor season domestically.
Maybe that is a bit far, because all talk about the Reds boss's future is external and not from inside the corridors of power at Anfield, with the hierarchy still backing him despite questions over the team's style of play and stuttering season.
But with Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations, where he made the semi-final only to lose to his old friend or foe Sadio Mane, Liverpool have lacked a match-winner.
Indeed, Slot's side have drawn four of five matches in 2026, the only win coming over League One Barnsley in the FA Cup. They are unbeaten since Salah flew out to Morocco but performances have lacked excitement.
Now, though, he is back to ease any pressure and do the main thing they have lacked in his absence: convert their stream of chances into goals. He scored four goals at AFCON.
Arne Slot was a picture of happiness as he spoke about Mohamed Salah back at Liverpool
Salah is back for the Reds after missing the last few weeks on Egypt duty at AFCON
The Dutch boss said the word 'happy' four times when asked about Salah and insisted: 'I am really happy and pleased he is back.
'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 (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.
'We will never know but the amount of chances and ball possession against Burnley (on Saturday)... with Mo we would usually score more.'
Slot was asked about a rift between him and his star forward but insisted: 'Let's see for the line-up tomorrow if you still think there's an issue.
'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.'
PREDICTED LIVERPOOL XI TO FACE MARSEILLE
Alisson; Frimpong, Gomez, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike.
Liverpool face a tough test in the cauldron of the Velodrome in Marseille where a win would be a giant step towards qualifying for the Champions League last-16.
Ibrahima Konate did not travel with Liverpool due to family matters but the defender could join up with the squad on matchday.
Dominik Szoboszlai, meanwhile, is in talks over a new deal at the club to reward a stellar season. The Hungary captain is a strong candidate to be a future skipper at Anfield too.
Slot rubbished fan talk of Xabi Alonso, who was sacked at Real Madrid last week, wanting his job at Liverpool and joked: '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?!"
'Or maybe earlier, maybe he takes over tomorrow. No. This is one of the weirdest questions I ever got.'