Anfield Mystery Solved: Slot Quietly Defuses Salah Rumors Ahead of Marseille Clash

Match context

Liverpool’s Dutch coach Arne Slot has finally quelled the chatter around Mohamed Salah’s readiness to return to action, ahead of a crucial UEFA Champions League group-stage trip to Marseille at the Velodrome.

The Reds head to France as a formidable away test, with Salah back in contention after missing recent games while with Egypt for AFCON in Morocco.

Slot spoke at the pre-match media briefing, expressing his pleasure at Salah’s comeback and confirming the forward would be involved against Marseille in the Champions League.

Previously, Salah had been sidelined, sparking tensions after three straight bench appearances and prompting fiery comments that contributed to his omission from a key midweek clash in Europe.

In the end, Slot included Salah in the starting XI for the night, while Cody Gakpo started on the bench, as Liverpool prepared for their challenge in France.

Slot unveiled the team sheet for the match, with Alisson Becker in goal and a backline that included Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, flanked by two other defenders. In midfield, Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch were selected, while the attack featured a front three with Salah supported by teammates in advanced roles.

Liverpool sit 11th in the group standings with 12 points, having won four games and tasted two defeats.

Marseille occupy 17th place with nine points from six outings, recording three wins and two losses so far.

Punchline time: If goals were a quiz, Salah would be the guy who keeps hitting all the right answers—even when the questions are about where to find the net in the Velodrome. And if press conferences were footballs, Slot’s would be the one you actually want to kick toward the future, not the old rumors.

Punchline 2: In Slot we trust—because even the chalkboard looked confused before Salah’s return, and now it’s just drawing smiles.