Liverpool and Marseille went head-to-head in a Champions League meeting on Wednesday evening.
The Reds were without Ibrahima Konate for the clash due to personal reasons, seeing Joe Gomez handed a rare start at centre-back.
But the main story going into the game was, of course, the return of Mohamed Salah.
Salah wanted to start playing as soon as he was back from AFCON, and Arne Slot granted his wish with a return to the eleven against Marseille.
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Liverpool’s attack has lacked any real sharpness for long periods while he has been away, and the midweek Champions League action was a chance for the Egyptian to prove he’s still the main man on Merseyside.
Liverpool fans question Mohamed Salah vs Marseille
Liverpool started the tie somewhat slowly, and it didn’t take long for fans to start commenting on Salah.
Deployed ahead of Jeremie Frimpong, a number of concerns, including his rustiness from the AFCON, his lack of defensive work and Slot’s use of the player, were raised mid-match.
One fan wrote: “Sometimes just shoot or release the ball quicker. Also, I don’t think Frimpong and Salah have quite the understanding on that right at the moment”
“Salah looking proper rusty,” suggested another Liverpool fan.
A third echoed: “Salah didn’t even get a bit of a rest.”
Another stated: “Wirtz clearly man marking and Ekitike doing 2 jobs in 1. This is what happens when we need to supplement for Salah”
“It’s just another day at the office for Salah not to track back and defend because in his head he is the greatest Liverpool player ever,” added a fifth.
While a sixth commented: “Salah doesn’t look comfortable in the middle, and he’s not getting enough touches, play him on the right please.”
While Liverpool fans may be right to question if Salah is fit enough after spending the last month on international duty, Slot had little choice but to play him.
Firstly, because if he did not, there would, of course, have been more questions asked about his future during the remainder of the January transfer window.
But also, as has been reported already, Salah did not want a rest and was keen to start playing as soon as he returned, which delighted Liverpool’s manager, probably due to the lack of natural right-wing options he has at present.
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