When the teamsheet for Liverpool vs Marseille came out, Mohamed Salah’s name was a welcome sight.
Despite the pre-AFCON drama, Arne Slot was happy to have Salah back after a month-long absence during which Liverpool struggled to put the ball in the net.
He came straight into the starting lineup for the first European fixture of the new year.
Liverpool’s strongest possible XI?
If not, who gets in? 👀
Slot’s starters to face Marseille 💪
Former Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam has his thoughts on what that means for the relationship that was on the rocks last month.
Charlie Adam reckons things have improved between Mo Salah and Liverpool
Salah’s post-Leeds outburst did not come at an ideal time.
Liverpool were in the pits, and AFCON meant time apart. Adam thinks something must have happened before his departure for him to be starting against Marseille.
He explains to BBC Sport: “Salah’s had four weeks to reflect and think about what he’s done and said but I think the talks would have been cleared before he left for AFCON because they didn’t want to come back to that.
“If there were still problems, he wouldn’t have played today.”
Salah’s stellar performances in Morocco suggest he wasn’t playing with his club drama weighing on his mind. The fact that Salah wanted to start straight away for Liverpool also backs up his theory.
The hatchet must have been buried weeks ago.
- READ MORE: Arne Slot hits back at critics with ‘twice in 30 years’ Liverpool claim as Xabi Alonso update issued
Adam on Arne Slot’s offensive approach vs Marseille
Liverpool started the game well, though they weren’t peppering the home side’s goal from the off.
There was some interesting movement, though, that Adam broke down: “It’s interesting to see Ekitike on the left-hand side, and Liverpool aren’t actually playing with a number nine with Wirtz and Szoboszlai in front of Mac Allister and Gravenberch.”
What’s Liverpool’s best front three now that Salah’s back?
With Florian Wirtz in the 10 🔥
It does remind you of last season, with no striker clogging the middle. Wirtz and Szoboszlai given license to attack centrally where they can do the most damage.
Certainly more fluid than what we saw at the weekend. Salah’s return is a welcome one, too.
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