Slot hopes Salah return can restore Liverpool’s clinical edge | OneFootball

Arne Slot is hopeful the return of Mohamed Salah can help Liverpool rediscover their clinical edge.

Salah has travelled with the Liverpool squad to face Marseille in the Champions League tonight, having returned from the Africa Cup of Nations. The Egyptian scored four goals at the tournament – second only to Brahim Diaz – and is now back available for his club side.

Salah left for the tournament under a cloud after a fallout with Slot, though the pair made amends with Salah returning to face Brighton in the Premier League before his AFCON exit.

Ahead of facing Marseille, Slot said he was happy to welcome the 33-year-old back and hopes Salah’s scoring touch continues, after a frustrating run of draws.

“I think he left in a situation that was good for him and for us because we beat Brighton and he played again and then he went to the AFCON. Again, he did what he usually does, scoring goals.

“Unfortunately, he couldn’t win the tournament but there were other very good teams in that tournament as well, but he got to the semi-final and now he’s back with us. Of course, I spoke to him today and I’m happy to have him back because, as I said, this season I’ve only had two wingers who would tell me that is their favourite position that have played more than 100 minutes in the Premier League. That’s Mo and Cody [Gakpo].

“There are other players that can definitely play in that position really good, by the way, as well, like Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz. But if I ask Florian what his favourite position is, I don’t think he’s going to tell me left or right winger. I think he’s going to tell me another position. But he’s able to play there really well and Jeremie is the same. I think he’s mainly played as full-back but he’s shown, especially also in the last game and also against Arsenal, [just] how much of a threat he can be off the right side. In the last game against Burnley, he played as a full-back, by the way.

“So, to have Mo back is of course helpful because in his absence we have created a lot of chances and not always converted them.

“I think I saw today that he scored 45 goals for Liverpool at Champions League level, and the next player is a player with five goals: Virgil van Dijk. It’s nice to have him back, especially if he is able to reach that level again where he was able to score the 45. That’s what he can show tomorrow evening.”

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