Egypt international due to return after losers’ final on Saturday; Liverpool manager calls for more improvement amid 11 games unbeaten
Mohamed Salah will return to Liverpool within a week and Arne Slot will be delighted to have him back, according to the Dutch coach.
The Egypt international joined up with his country on 15 December for the Africa Cup of Nations. Although they were knocked out in the semi-finals against Senegal, he still has one more game left to play, with Egypt set to face Nigeria in the third-place match on Saturday.
“First of all, he plays a big game for Egypt on Saturday and then he comes back to us,” Slot said.
“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.”
Salah and Slot had a breakdown in their relationship in the weeks preceding Afcon, although the matter was eventually resolved internally shortly before the former’s departure. The winger’s return will be much welcome by a side currently struggling in attack.
“We are in talks with him and what is expected of him over there and over here,” said Slot. “He has an important game on Saturday and then he will be back with us. We are talking together about [the Marseille game in the Champions League] now.”
Slot’s side had a horrid run in the first half of the season that saw them lose nine out of 12 games in all competitions but they are approaching the lighter end of the tunnel, having so far played 11 games unbeaten in all competitions.
“Ideally it’s not 11 games unbeaten, it’s 11 wins in a row that we aim for,” Slot said.
“Aston Villa won a lot of games in a row but from where we were, when we conceded four goals against PSV Eindhoven to now, a much better place but there’s still enough room for improvement.”
