- ‘Happy he is back’: Slot confirms Salah’s Liverpool return next week and availability for Marseille showdown | OneFootball

Arne Slot has said he is 'happy' to have Mohamed Salah back ahead of the winger's return to Liverpool from Africa Cup of Nations duty.

Salah has been representing Egypt at the tournament, with The Pharaohs eliminated by Senegal in the semi-finals. Egypt face Nigeria in the third-place play-off tomorrow to conclude their campaign.

The 33-year-old departed for the tournament under a cloud. A fallout with Slot saw Salah excluded from the squad to face Inter Milan in theChampions League last month, following public comments in which Salah accused Liverpool of 'throwing him under the bus' for their poor run of results. Following clear-the-air talks, he returned to the squad to face Brighton in the Premier League on December 13th.

With the January transfer window open, it had been suggested Salah could leaveLiverpool this month. However, Slot is ready to welcome back last season's leading scorer, admitting Salah has been 'so important for this club and me'.

He also confirmed Salah will be available to face Marseille in theChampions League in midweek.

"First of all, he plays a big game for Egypt on Saturday and then he comes back to us," Slot said at his pre-Burnley press conference.

"I am happy he comes back. Mo has been so important for this club and me, so I am happy he is back. Even if I had 15 attackers, I would be happy to see Mo back but that is not our situation.

"Happy to have him back after an important game tomorrow.

"Next week [Salah will return], we are in talks with him and what is expected of him over there and over here. He has an important game on Saturday and then he will be back with us.

"We are talking together about [the Marseille game] now."