Arne Slot stressed that all conversations between himself and Mohamed Salah will remain private as the forward prepares for his return to Liverpool.
Salah’s hopes of leading Egypt to Africa Cup of Nations glory were dashed on Wednesday as the Pharaohs lost 1-0 to Senegal.
It was Salah’s former Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane who scored the decisive goal.
Egypt will take on Nigeria in the third-place play-off on Saturday before Salah returns to Liverpool.
Salah made headlines ahead of the AFCON when he claimed he was no longer in a relationship with Slot and felt the club had thrown him under the bus, even going so far as to suggest his future at Liverpool was unclear.
After missing a Champions League match against Inter, Salah returned to the pitch and provided an assist in a 2-0 win over Brighton.
When asked about Salah’s return, Slot told reporters: “What happens with Mo and me on our phone or here remains between the two of us. I do not share that it is necessary for me to share the details of the private conversations I have on the phone or here with any of my players.”
“Next week [Salah will return]we are talking to him and what is expected of him there and here. He has an important match on Saturday and then he will be back with us.”
0 – Mohamed Salah failed to touch the opponent’s penalty area for the first time tonight in a CAF Africa Cup of Nations match that he played for over 45 minutes. Absent. #TotalEnergiesAFCON25 pic.twitter.com/feqYV0xoWH
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 14, 2026
Slot confirmed that next Wednesday’s Champions League match against Marseille has been designated as the match in which Salah is likely to make his comeback.
Liverpool hosts Burnley on Saturday. The Reds have drawn their last three Premier League matches and are unbeaten in nine games in the competition, but they are fourteen points behind leaders Arsenal.
The Reds are also eight points behind third-place Aston Villa.
“It’s a challenge because we play in the Premier League and we haven’t put ourselves in the most ideal position, especially if you compare where we were after six games,” Slot said when asked about Liverpool’s goals for this season.
“But we are now competing with these teams for fourth place. Aston Villa is having such a great season. So there is still a lot to play for in the league because we know how important it is for every club, especially this club, to qualify for the Champions League.”
“It didn’t happen a few years ago and that had a big financial impact on this club. We are aware of the importance of qualifying for the Champions League, but we are also aware of the fact that this competition is stronger than ever. That is what we have to do very well in the competition and we also have the FA Cup and the Champions League to fight for.”
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