Ian Doyle with the main talking point from Liverpool's Champions League 3-0 win Marseille on Wednesday evening
Liverpool's Hungarian midfielder #08 Dominik Szoboszlai (L) and Liverpool's Egyptian forward #11 Mohamed Salah embrace at the end of the UEFA Champions League, league phase day 7, football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and Liverpool FC at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille, southern France, on January 21, 2026. (Photo by Thibaud MORITZ / AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool's Hungarian midfielder #08 Dominik Szoboszlai (L) and Liverpool's Egyptian forward #11 Mohamed Salah embrace at the end of the UEFA Champions League, league phase day 7, football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and Liverpool FC at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille, southern France, on January 21, 2026. (Photo by Thibaud MORITZ / AFP via Getty Images)
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Arne Slot couldn’t even be bothered to keep up any sense of pretence. With Liverpool facing the latest test of their Champions League credentials, their most prolific-ever player in the competition was going straight into the starting line-up.
The less-than-subtle hint from the Reds boss speaking ahead of the trip to Marseille was confirmed when Mohamed Salah, fresh from Africa Cup of Nations duty, lined up on the right wing at the Stade Velodrome.
To think there had been a time when, in the immediate aftermath of his controversial outburst at Leeds United in early December, there were genuine fears the Egyptian had played his last game for the club.
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But if the truce appeared a little uneasy after Salah was subsequently dropped from the Champions League win at Inter Milan, there is now no obvious signs of discord given the show of faith shown by Slot in his veteran winger.
It would have been some ask for Salah to reproduce his best after a difficult campaign. There was, though, more than sufficient evidence he has taken a firm grip of his position on the right again.
This was the first time he had shared a pitch with right-back Jeremie Frimpong since September and the duo combined in the first half with Salah sending an improvised flick narrowly over.
There were other chances, the Egyptian perhaps relieved he was flagged offside when sending a free header wide and, late on, unwisely electing for an elaborate finish with the outside of his left foot when sent clear by substitute Cody Gakpo and sending his shot wastefully wide.
That sharpness will surely come. And there was certainly no questioning Salah buying into the overall work ethic, pressing intently – particularly in the first half – and putting the hard yards in defensively.
This was Salah’s first start since the dismal 4-1 Champions League reverse at home to PSV Eindhoven that proved the nadir of Liverpool’s desperate autumn run of form.
It hasn’t gone unnoticed the Reds remained unbeaten during those 12 games, even if the attacking play and creativity wasn’t anywhere near sufficient on too many frustrating occasions.
But there was a different feel, a different fear on offer from Liverpool with Salah back in the team, even if ultimately perhaps his most telling contribution was to cede free-kick duties to Dominik Szoboszlai with the Hungarian duly netting the important opener.
But make no mistake. The Egyptian King is back – and he’s here to stay for the foreseeable.
Ian Doyle
Ian Doyle