Arne Slot has named his Liverpool starting XI vs Marseille in the Champions League with decisions made on Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate at the Orange Velodrome
18:45, 21 Jan 2026Updated 18:47, 21 Jan 2026
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah during a training session ahead of the Champions League game against Marseille.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah during a training session ahead of the Champions League game against Marseille.(Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah returns to the Liverpool starting XI as Arne Slot's side takes on Marseille in the Champions League, with the Reds looking to secure a spot in the top eight in their last two matches.
With Ibrahima Konate missing due to a personal matter, Joe Gomez starts alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the Liverpool defense. Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez are on either side, with Alisson Becker in goal.
In midfield, Arne Slot has gone with Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister. Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike make up the rest of the starting XI.
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Liverpool can move level on points with Real Madrid with a win and it is looking to cement its position in the top eight spots on matchday seven. A victory would see the Reds move above PSG and Tottenham, among others.
"As normal as it has always been," Slot said of his relationship with the returning Salah ahead of the game. "There was only one exception and that was the game against Inter where I didn't take him.
"But for all the games he was there, in the last game he was at Liverpool before he went to the AFCON, he came in after 15 or 20 minutes. I think he had a very good performance in that game. We were 1-0 up at the time and we beat Brighton with 2-0.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot speaks during a press conference.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot speaks during a press conference.(Image: Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu via Getty Images)
"I think he left in a situation that was good for him and for us because we beat Brighton and he played again and then he went to the AFCON. Again, he did what he usually does, scoring goals.
"Unfortunately, he couldn't win the tournament but there were other very good teams in that tournament as well, but he got to the semi-final and now he's back with us.
"Of course, I spoke to him today and I'm happy to have him back because, as I said, this season I've only had two wingers who would tell me that is their favorite position that have played more than 100 minutes in the Premier League. That's Mo and Cody [Gakpo].
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"To have Mo back is, of course, helpful because in his absence, we have created a lot of chances and not always converted them.
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"I think I saw today that he scored 45 goals for Liverpool at Champions League level, and the next player is a player with five goals: Virgil van Dijk.
"It's nice to have him back, especially if he is able to reach that level again where he was able to score the 45. That's what he can show."
Liverpool starting XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Gomez, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike. Subs: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Robertson, Endo, Nyoni, Chiesa, Jones, Ngumoha, Gakpo.