Mohamed Salah should be back from AFCON for Liverpool’s return to the Champions League against Marseille.
It feels like an eternity ago that Liverpool was rocked by Salah’s post-Leeds outburst.
That was almost six weeks ago. When he departed for AFCON, we didn’t know if it was the Egyptian’s last game for Liverpool. We still don’t know for sure.
Gut feeling, has Mohamed Salah played his last game for Liverpool? If yes, how do you feel about it?
Liverpool want Salah to stay, and it’s been all quiet in terms of transfer rumours. Hopefully he doesn’t fall into old habits.
Mo Salah fell into a slump after last Egypt heartbreak
The last time Salah returned to Liverpool after a crushing international exit, the impact was immediate.
His missed penalty against Senegal at the 2022 World Cup playoffs ended Egypt’s hopes of qualification. Sadio Mane scored the winning spot-kick.
After that, he scored just three goals in nine league outings — a crisis by his standards.
Unpopular opinion: Peak Sadio Mane was better than peak Mohamed Salah…
People aren't ready for that discussion…
Considering it was again Mane knocking Salah out on this occasion, it wouldn’t be crazy to think a similar slump is possible when he gets back on the pitch at Anfield.
That’s if he can get back in the side just like that.
What Arne Slot could do with Salah
There’s no guarantee the returning Salah slots right back into the side.
Liverpool have improved since Salah left. Arne Slot may look at it and say he has to earn a place back in the side.
The real question is whether he will put up with being benched again. It wasn’t received well before Christmas.
Sparks could fly when Salah gets back after the third-place play-off against Nigeria. Slot hasn’t been afraid of upsetting him in the past.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
