Mohamed Salah has been named in the Liverpool squad for their Champions League journey to Marseille. The Egyptian star participated in open training on Tuesday after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations. The 33-year-old was absent from the Reds’ previous European match against Inter Milan early last month, following a controversial interview after Liverpool’s 3-3 draw at Leeds United.
However, after amicable discussions with Arne Slot prior to his international duty, the forward has been welcomed back into the Liverpool fold upon his return to Merseyside. Salah was part of the 20-man squad that left John Lennon Airport on Tuesday afternoon, heading for the league-phase match at Orange Velodrome. However, Ibrahima Konate was not present with the group, having missed open training due to family commitments.
The defender, who was not mentioned in the club’s official announcement of the travelling party, is already in France, and it remains to be seen whether he will join his team-mates upon their arrival.
Should he miss the match against Marseille, Joe Gomez is expected to partner Virgil van Dijk in central defence. Even with Konate joining the Reds, Slot will still be unable to field a full 23-man squad or a 12-player bench in Marseille due to limited numbers through injuries.
His team includes three goalkeepers, with Giorgi Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman backing up Alisson Becker, as well as young talents Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni.
Calvin Ramsay was not included, with the Scotland international ineligible for the Champions League league phase after being omitted from Liverpool’s European squad for the first half of the season.
The Reds are still without long-term absentees Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni. Slot is set to provide an update on Konate at his pre-match press conference at the Orange Velodrome on Tuesday evening (6.40pm UK time).
Liverpool’s squad in full vs Marseille
Alisson, Gomez, Endo, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah, Chiesa, Jones, Gakpo, Ekitike, Mamardashvili, Robertson, Woodman, Frimpong, Gravenberch, Nyoni, Ngumoha