Arne Slot provides update on Mohamed Salah relationship after Liverpool forward returns from AFCON

The Egyptian has not started a game for the club since his explosive interview in the Elland Road mixed zone. Now back from the Africa Cup of Nations, Salah is line to feature against Marseille

Arne Slot has described his relationship with Mohamed Salah as "normal" following his return from AFCON.(Image: Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Arne Slot has described his relationship with Mohamed Salah as “normal” as the Liverpool star returns from the Africa Cup of Nations.

The forward is line to play against Marseille on Wednesday, making his first appearance for Liverpool since the 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on December 13.

That came just a week after his incendiary remarks in the Elland Road mixed zone. when Salah claimed he no longer had a relationship with Slot and that someone was trying to force him out of the club.

Salah missed the Inter Milan game in the aftermath of those remarks at Leeds, but after clear-the-air talks, returned to face Brighton. That came just days before the Egyptian's departure to AFCON, and there was a sense at the time that the issue would be finally resolved when Salah returned from Morocco.

Speaking for the first time since he arrived back in Liverpool, Slot said: “As normal, as it has always been.

“There was only one exception and that was the game against Inter where I didn't take him. But for all of the [other] games, he was there, and in the last game he was at Liverpool before he went to the AFCON he came in after 15/20 minutes, and I think he had a very good performance in that game.

“We were 1-0 up at the time and we beat Brighton 2-0. So I think he left in in a situation that was good for him and for us because we beat Brighton and he played again. Then he went to the AFCON, did what he usually does, scoring goals.

“Unfortunately, he couldn't win the tournament, but there were very good teams in that tournament as well. But [he] got to the semi-final and now he's back with us and, of course, I spoke to him today.

“I'm happy to have him back because, as I said, this season, I've only had two wingers who would tell me that's their favourite position, that have played more than 100 minutes in the Premier League, and that's Mo and Cody [Gakpo].

“To have Mo back is, of course, helpful because in his absence we've created a lot of chances and not always converted them. I think I saw today that he scored 45 goals for Liverpool at Champions League level and the next player is a player with five goals, Virgil van Dijk. So it's nice to have him back.”