Mohamed Salah has returned to the Liverpool squad, but a regular Reds first-team player was absent from training ahead of the crucial showdown with Marseille.

Mohamed Salah is expected to be involved in Liverpool’s squad for their Champions League meeting with Marseille on Wednesday night, although there is some uncertainty surrounding the availability of one of his teammates.

The 33-year-old has rejoined the Reds after missing the club’s last seven fixtures while representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored four times as they went on to finish fourth.

Whether Salah returns straight to the starting line-up is unclear. He has not started a match under Arne Slot for almost two months and last featured from the outset before delivering a fiery post-match interview following the 3-3 draw with Leeds in early December.

Salah was pictured training with the Liverpool squad on Tuesday at the AXA Training Centre ahead of their trip to France, with footage shared by The Athletic’s James Pearce showing the forward taking part in the session.

However, Pearce also reported that Ibrahima Konate was not present, explaining that the defender has returned to France for family reasons. It remains uncertain whether he will rejoin the squad in time for the match in Marseille.

Salah’s return comes at a crucial moment for Liverpool, with concerns growing over their recent lack of sharpness in attack. His availability could provide a timely boost as the Reds look to strengthen their position in the Champions League league phase and push towards automatic qualification for the last 16.

Although his club form has dipped by his own high standards this season, with just five goals in his last 20 appearances for Liverpool, his four-goal display at AFCON suggests he is returning in confident scoring form.

While Salah’s presence is a major positive, Konate’s potential absence could leave Slot short of options at centre-back, with only two senior defenders available for the Stade Velodrome clash. That said, the Frenchman’s wellbeing remains the priority, and Liverpool will be hoping everything is settled before he makes his return.

Liverpool are expected to confirm their full travelling squad later today.