Liverpool\u2019s short-term attention remains firmly on domestic matters, but a measured update has subtly clarified how Mohamed Salah will be reintegrated into plans in the days ahead.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the AXA Training Centre before Burnley\u2019s trip to Anfield, Arne Slot confirmed that the No.11 is due to return to Merseyside next week after completing his Africa Cup of Nations duties. Salah will first take part in Saturday\u2019s third-place play-off against Nigeria, following Egypt\u2019s semi-final defeat to Senegal.<\/p>\n
Asked about the winger\u2019s return timeline during his pre-Burnley press conference, Slot responded simply: \u201cNext week.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Liverpool head coach also stressed that conversations are already underway to manage expectations as Salah transitions back to club football.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re speaking with him about what\u2019s expected there and what\u2019s expected here,\u201d Slot explained. \u201cBut first he has a game on Saturday, and then next week he\u2019ll rejoin us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Salah\u2019s comeback follows another disappointing AFCON campaign, with former teammate Sadio Man\u00e9 again denying him international silverware. Man\u00e9 later expressed sympathy for the Egyptian, admitting it was \u201cnot easy for him,\u201d while still wishing him well.<\/p>\n
Slot was clear about the significance of welcoming the 33-year-old back into the group.<\/p>\n
\u201cMo has been incredibly important for this club and for me, so I\u2019m pleased he\u2019s returning,\u201d he said. \u201cEven if I had 15 attackers available, I\u2019d still be happy to have him back.\u201d<\/p>\n
With Liverpool still competing on several fronts, the timing of Salah\u2019s return carries genuine importance rather than mere symbolism.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not the situation we\u2019re in, so it\u2019s good to have him back after the important match he still has to play,\u201d Slot added.<\/p>\n
The Dutchman also confirmed discussions are ongoing over whether Salah could be involved in next week\u2019s Champions League trip to Marseille.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s something we\u2019re discussing together at the moment,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Despite some uneven performances, Salah\u2019s season statistics underline his continued influence. Across all competitions in 2025\/26, he has made 14 appearances, scoring four goals and registering three assists, with an expected goals figure of 4.54 and six big chances created.<\/p>\n
Those numbers come amid wider debate, particularly after Roddy Collins questioned standards and authority following Salah\u2019s recent remarks, asking whether there is now \u201ca lack of fear.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Slot, however, the focus remains on the immediate task, with Salah\u2019s return offering both a boost on the pitch and a leadership presence as Liverpool approach a pivotal phase of the campaign.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Liverpool\u2019s short-term attention remains firmly on domestic matters, but a measured update has subtly clarified how Mohamed Salah will be reintegrated into plans in the days ahead. Speaking at the AXA Training Centre before Burnley\u2019s trip to Anfield, Arne Slot confirmed that the No.11 is due to return to Merseyside next week after completing his …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":57613,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-57612","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_1291.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57612","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=57612"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57612\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":57614,"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57612\/revisions\/57614"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/57613"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=57612"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=57612"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=57612"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}