### Mohamed Salah's Return to Liverpool: A New Chapter After Tensions - Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian forward, is set to return to Liverpool after participating in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where he will play in the third-place match against Nigeria. His absence from the team has been notable, as he has not started for Liverpool since November and was benched for three consecutive matches prior to his departure for international duty. This situation has been compounded by a public spat with the club, where Salah expressed feelings of being "thrown under the bus" by the management, particularly after a disappointing draw against Leeds United in December [https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/slot-happy-to-welcome-salah-back-to-liverpool-despite-earlier-rift-1930867][https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/mo-has-been-so-important-for-this-club-for-me-liverpool-boss-arne-slot-happy-to-have-salah-back-next-week/a1637965722.html]. ### Overview of the Situation and Key Points 1. **Salah's Performance and Absence**: - Salah has not started a match for Liverpool since November. - He was benched for three matches leading up to his AFCON participation [https://www.africaninsider.com/sport/slot-happy-welcome-salah-back-liverpool-afcon]. 2. **Public Discontent**: - Salah publicly criticized the club, claiming he was treated unfairly and had no relationship with manager Arne Slot [https://www.rediff.com/sports/report/slot-welcomes-salah-back-after-public-spat/20260116.htm]. - This outburst followed a series of disappointing performances from the team, including a 3-3 draw against Leeds United [https://www.cyprus-mail.com/2026/01/16/slot-happy-to-welcome-salah-back-to-liverpool-despite-earlier-rift]. 3. **Manager's Response**: - Liverpool's coach, Arne Slot, has expressed his eagerness to welcome Salah back, stating he would be happy to have him even if the squad had 15 attackers [https://www.newagebd.net/post/football/288342/slot-happy-to-welcome-salah-back-at-liverpool]. - Slot emphasized Salah's importance to the team, indicating that his return is highly anticipated [https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/arne-slot-reveals-mohamed-salah-33243255]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Salah's Recent Matches**: - Last started for Liverpool: November 2025. - Bench appearances: Three consecutive matches prior to AFCON [https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/football/2026/01/16/soccer-slot-happy-to-welcome-salah-back-to-liverpool-despite-earlier-rift]. - **Managerial Statements**: - Arne Slot's comments reflect a positive outlook on Salah's return, highlighting his value to the squad despite previous tensions [https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/slot-happy-to-welcome-salah-back-to-liverpool-despite-earlier-rift]. ### Conclusion: A Path Forward for Salah and Liverpool - **Salah's return is crucial for Liverpool**: 1. His absence has been felt significantly, and Slot's welcoming attitude suggests a desire to mend any rifts. 2. The upcoming match against Nigeria will be pivotal for Salah, potentially setting the stage for his reintegration into the Liverpool squad. 3. The relationship between Salah and Slot appears to be on the mend, with both parties expressing a willingness to move forward positively. In summary, **Mohamed Salah's return to Liverpool is not just a matter of player availability but also a chance to heal past grievances and refocus on the team's objectives**. The anticipation surrounding his comeback is palpable, and it will be interesting to see how this dynamic unfolds in the coming weeks [https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/mo-has-been-so-important-for-this-club-for-me-liverpool-boss-arne-slot-happy-to-have-salah-back-next-week/a1637965722.html].