Liverpool sidestep Marc Guehi transfer scrutiny as Arne Slot set to roll the dice

Mohamed Salah returns to a Liverpool side unbeaten in 12 games with a point to prove, but he could still be the missing ingredient for Arne Slot

When Liverpool last took part in open training, prior to their previous Champions League clash away to Inter Milan at the start of December, all eyes were on Mohamed Salah. Fast forward six weeks and it was a similar story for the Egyptian, but for rather different reasons.

Back then, the fallout was still fresh from his explosive comments against Arne Slot and the club, having found himself benched by the Dutchman for three games in a row.

Unused in two, Salah sensationally spoke out following the 3-3 draw at Leeds United only two days before the Reds’ last open training session.

Inevitably, his future at the club was cast into doubt. And while he trained, both Slot and Salah kept their distance from each other, denying the gathered photographers and cameramen their desired ‘moneyshot’ in the process.

Following the session, it emerged that Salah would be left out of the travelling squad that made the trip to Milan. Having called his own future at the club into question in the Elland Road mixed zone, it was a genuine possibility that he might have played his last game for the club.

Only after amicable talks with Slot the following Friday did he earn a recall – claiming an assist off the bench in the 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.

But since then, the 33-year-old has been away at the Africa Cup of Nations, helping Egypt to an unexpected fourth-place finish.

On Tuesday, he made his return to the AXA Training Centre. And after being assessed in the morning by club staff, prying eyes again waited to see if Salah would take part in training.

Six weeks ago, the No.11 had a toe out the exit door. But now, with Slot repeatedly insisting the matter is resolved, he is waiting to be unleashed back into the Liverpool fold.

Salah was the last player out at the AXA Training Centre, closely followed by Slot. He quickly embraced Jeremie Frimpong, if not his head coach, and engaged with the likes of Curtis Jones and Hugo Ekitike before pairing up with Dominik Szoboszlai for a number of training exercises.

All-smiles throughout, it was as though he had never been away, with the long-serving forward very much back at the heart of the group.

Having scored four times from six outings during his time at AFCON, Liverpool will hope Salah can continue such form now back on Merseyside to reclaim his previously undisputed starting place once and for all.

The Anfield legend scored only five goals for the Reds prior to his international exploits as his place in the side was called into question. Benched as a result, having not been at his best, it was still little surprise that he felt he had been scapegoated for Liverpool’s overall poor form.

Results have admittedly picked up since the bold decision. Since Salah was first benched by Slot at the end of November, the Reds have put together a 12-game unbeaten run.

Yet performances remain lacking. With six of those games ending in stalemate, including the last four Premier League matches, and seven of the 20 goals scored coming in just two clashes against Leeds and Barnsley, it is clear that Slot’s side have lacked something in the final third without their Egyptian King.

Holding a loose grip on a place in the top four and currently sitting just outside the Champions League top eight and a guaranteed place in the round of 16, a trip to Marseille marks the start of a Salah-led Liverpool’s second half of the campaign. Only time will tell if it is a fruitful one.

Questions about the Salah’s future beyond the end of the season remain following his spat with Slot, but it is undeniable that the third-highest goalscorer in the Reds’ history could now help provide the missing I don't know what.

Salah’s return was not the only talking point in Liverpool’s latest training session though. With his involvement confirmed, the attending media quickly deduced the absence of Ibrahima Konate.

Fortunately for the Reds, injury was not the cause with the centre-back already back in France due to family reasons. While his involvement against Marseille remains undecided, with Joe Gomez on standby to partner Virgil van Dijk as a result, Liverpool have at least not been stung at the heart of their defence once more.

The online hordes would have needed no invitation to light their torches and sharpen their pitchforks had Konate been struck down by injury, given the Reds had just seen Marc Guehi join rivals Man City the day before in an initial £20m deal.

Had Crystal Palace not pulled the plug on his summer move to Anfield at the 11th hour on transfer deadline day, he would have been at Kirkby, preparing to face Marseille instead.

Yet Konate’s absence offered a reminder of Liverpool’s ongoing tightrope-walking when it comes to their centre-back options, with Giovanni Leoni already ruled out for the season with an ACL injury.

Likewise, the sight of Calvin Ramsay reiterated their current plight at right-back following Conor Bradley’s own season-ending knee injury. The Scotland international might remain down the pecking order, but he is not yet eligible for Champions League matches either after being left out of Slot’s European squad for the first half of the season.

That could change when Liverpool’s list is updated for the knockout stages, should they progress, but it highlights how, even with Salah back in the fold, the Reds will be travelling to Marseille with limited numbers.

Slot’s attacking options are bolstered again at least, with Alexander Isak now the only absentee in the final third.

But, including Konate, this is the Liverpool squad for the foreseeable future, providing they avoid further injury and remain inactive in the January transfer window. There are now no remaining cavalry to return until Isak in the spring.

Results might have improved in Salah’s absence, but things are still not quite right for the defending Premier League champions.

Salah is Slot’s next roll of the dice. Coming back with a point to prove, absence has made the heart grow fonder. But only time will tell if his return can truly reignite Liverpool’s stuttering campaign.