Mohamed Salah made his return to the starting line-up for Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Marseille.
The Egyptian has spent the last month competing at the AFCON before linking back up with the squad this week.
Salah told Liverpool he wanted to play and no rest was required, with Arne Slot granting his wish in midweek.
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Olympique Marseille v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League
Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates /Getty Images
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The 33-year-old started the 3-0 win over Marseille in a slightly new position, thanks to a change made by Slot.
Liverpool’s system was tweaked for the clash, setting up in a 4-2-2-2 with Hugo Ekitike and Salah acting as wide strikers ahead of Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Arne Slot gets the best out of Mohamed Salah, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez
The formation change clearly paid off, with the Reds dominating Roberto De Zerbi’s men to move up to fourth in the Champions League table.
A number of players shone in the tie, but Stephen Warnock thinks Slot’s decision to switch up his system benefited Salah, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong especially well.
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Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: “As well as Salah, this shape suited a few of Liverpool’s other players tonight – especially their new signings.
“Both full-backs had really good games, going in both directions. In possession, they were very high. They were the ones giving Liverpool the width and being asked to do that side of the game. Obviously they have got to do the defensive side of things as well, and they both did well.
“I think Kerkez has improved a lot in recent weeks – he looks more comfortable and seems to understand what is needed in his role. Frimpong too, looks fitter and looks dangerous. He is a little bit different because he can beat people in one-v-one situations, but overall both of them were superb.”
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Dominik Szoboszlai scores for Liverpool against Marseille
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Another Liverpool defender shone vs Marseille
Liverpool fans praised Kerkez against Marseille, and some brilliant work from Frimpong led to the second goal of the clash.
However, it would be remiss not to mention how well Joe Gomez played, given he has been a fringe star this term and hasn’t played at centre-back for a while.
Virgil van Dijk was quick to highlight his teammate post-match, as quoted by the BBC.
He said: “I’ve played with Joe many times and it helps that we are very good friends. Pleased for him and for the whole team.
“Everyone put a shift in and that’s how it should be. It was a very good atmosphere. It’s a stadium I’ve never played before and I was looking forward to it.”
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