‘See the line-up tomorrow if you still think there is an issue’ – Slot on Salah’s return and Konate’s absence | OneFootball

Arne Slot has reiterated that there is no issue between himself and Mo Salah after the forward’s return from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Salah will return to the Liverpool squad for the Champions League clash against Marseille for the first time since the game against Brighton on 13 December.

Prior to that game, Salah was left out of the squad after an outspoken interview in which he claimed he and Slot no longer had a relationship, and said he felt “thrown under the bus” at the club.

But Slot says he is delighted to have the 33-year-old back available once again, and that it is all in the past.

“With Mo, I’m really happy and pleased that he’s back,” Slot said. “In his absence, we’ve done quite okay in terms of hardly conceding any chances but we’ve started to create more and more and if you start to create more, it helps to have a player like Mo Salah.

“With Mo on the pitch, it usually means you would score more.”

On their relationship, he said: “As normal as it’s always been.

“It was only one exception and that was the game against Inter where I didn’t take him. For all the other games, he was there.

“I think he left in a situation that was good for him and for us, because we beat Brighton and he played again.”

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Asked if Salah’s return represents an opportunity for a “fresh start”, the Dutchman responded: “I think I answered that question already. There was a moment in the season where I decided not to play Mo and one moment where I decided not to take him to the game.

“For all the other games he’s been in the squad. He was the first substitution against Brighton and at that moment there was no issue for me and the outside world could see there was no issue.

“The first time he’s able to be in the squad again, he is.

“Let’s see for the line-up tomorrow if you still think there is an issue.”

Slot, however, will be without Ibrahima Konate for the clash against Marseille with the Frenchman dealing with a “family matter”.

“Ibou didn’t travel with us because of family matters,” Slot said.

“I will leave it at that and I will speak to him tomorrow again but he’s not travelled with us.”