Salah’s Big Return: Liverpool Head to Marseille for a European Test
21 January 2026
Matchday return
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool's star, enjoys a special night as he features against Marseille in the Champions League.
Liverpool travel to Olympique Marseille on Wednesday at the Velodrome, in the UEFA Champions League group stage, round seven.
Klopp named the Reds’ starting XI, with Alisson in goal, a back four led by Gomez and Van Dijk, and a midfield trio including Gravenberch and Mac Allister, with Salah up front.
Key numbers and context
According to Opta, Salah is making his 88th appearance in European competition for Liverpool.
Salah has equalled Ian Galagan’s tally of continental games for the Reds, with only Jamie Carragher (130) and Steven Gerrard (111) ahead.
This is Salah’s first start since Liverpool’s loss to Eindhoven in the Champions League 56 days ago.
Salah returned after Egypt’s AFCON campaign, with the Pharaohs finishing fourth behind Senegal, Morocco and Nigeria.
Liverpool sit 11th in the Champions League on 12 points, while Marseille are 17th with 9.
Punchlines: Salah turns hesitation into a highlight reel — and the clock on Klopp's face shows more action than the defenders. If football were a stand-up set, Salah would be closing every show.
