Sports
12 min read
Champions League LIVE: Salah Trains as Liverpool Prepares for Marseille
BBC
January 20, 2026•2 days ago

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Mohamed Salah has returned to Liverpool training following the Africa Cup of Nations, where Egypt finished fourth. Manager Arne Slot stated he is pleased to have Salah back, with a decision on his availability for the Marseille Champions League match pending. Teammate Dominik Szoboszlai confirmed he has been in frequent contact with Salah.
What has Slot said on potential Salah return?
Marseille v Liverpool (Wed, 20:00 GMT)
Whether or not Mohamed Salah will play against Marseille is still to be confirmed but Liverpool boss Arne Slot recently said he would be pleased to have the forward back even if the club has "15 attackers".
Slot was asked on Friday whether Salah would play against Marseille: "We are talking together about [the Marseille game] now.
"We are in talks with him about what is expected of him over there, what is expected over here."
On talks between himself and Salah, Slot added: "What happens between Mo and me, on the phone or over here, stays between the two of us. And I don't think it is necessary for me to share all the private conversations I have."
Salah and I 'speak about everything' - Szoboszlai
Marseille v Liverpool (Wed, 20:00 GMT)
Aadam Patel
Football Reporter
Dominik Szoboszlai says he has spoken to Mohamed Salah "almost every day" when the Egypt forward was at the Africa Cup of Nations and that he is looking forward to reuniting with his Liverpool team-mate.
Salah has returned from international duty and it will be confirmed on Tuesday whether he will be available for Liverpool's Champions League game in Marseille.
Asked if he has had much contact with Salah since he left Merseyside on 15 December, Szoboszlai said: "Yes, to be honest, almost every day. We speak about everything: I'm following him, I guess he is following me. We talk a lot."
Reds manager Arne Slot said last week he is "happy" to have Salah back - and Saturday's draw against Burnley illustrated why.
Read more from Szoboszlai
Salah's stats this season
Marseille v Liverpool (Wed, 20:00 GMT)
If he is included in the squad, what will this season's Mohamed Salah bring to the Liverpool team?
It's not been a vintage year for the 33-year-old; he's had a bumpy season with Liverpool and has not played as many matches as he would have liked, which has had an impact on the amount of goals and assists to his name this campaign.
Across all competitions, the Egypt international has played 20 games, scored five goals and made four assists.
But it's fair to say that Liverpool haven't exactly been free-scoring of late.
They have had two 0-0 draws in their last four Premier League games and endured a frustrating time in front of goal in their 1-1 draw with Burnley at the weekend - so having Salah back can only help, right?
Salah's Afcon performances
Marseille v Liverpool (Wed, 20:00 GMT)
So much drama and then Mohamed Salah left to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations for Egypt - something all parties probably needed if we're honest.
Salah was part of the Egypt team which reached the semi-finals but were knocked out by Senegal 1-0.
Egypt then played Nigeria in the third-place play-off, but lost on penalties to finish fourth.
Naturally, Salah produced the goods.
His played six matches, scored four goals and made one assist. The only game he was not involved in was Egypt's last group match against Angola, as he was rested.
Salah in Liverpool training
Marseille v Liverpool (Wed, 20:00 GMT)
Liverpool had an open training session earlier today before their Champions League trip to Marseille and Mohamed Salah was present for the session.
The forward has returned from the Africa Cup of Nations where he aided Egypt to a fourth-place finish.
He emerged at the AXA training centre, closely followed by manager Arne Slot. There had been disagreements between the pair before Afcon but both were smiling and in good spirits during training.
Salah took part in every exercise and looked fully fit.
Last week, Slot said it was still to be decided whether Salah will feature in the Champions League this week.
Their travelling squad list is due to drop shortly and we'll bring you that as soon as we have it.
That'll be before Slot speaks at his news conference this evening.
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