Arne Slot can give Mohamed Salah exactly what he wants now as Liverpool gets timely reminder
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With Egypt fighting to try and find a winner late on against Zimbabwe, you just knew Mohamed Salah would have his say.The Liverpool talisman sent the timeliest of reminders back to Anfield as he spared his country’s blushes in their opening Africa Cup of Nations encounter on Monday. Dropping points against a side making just their sixth appearance at the tournament would have been quite the embarrassment for the continent’s most successful nation, but Salah’s knack for coming up with clutch moments isn’t just reserved for his club.Granted, those moments have been a little more sparing for the Reds this season, but when you need a goal, there aren’t many players you’d want to rely on more than Salah.READ MORE: Liverpool handed new red card verdict as referee told he missed third sending-off vs TottenhamREAD MORE: Liverpool dealt new referee verdict on Alexander Isak tackle as leg break suspectedAnd that quality could be more important than ever for Liverpool right now.
In fact, Slot practically spelled it out himself as he detailed the struggles Isak went through after missing pre-season.Even if Alexander Isak returns before the end of the season, we won't see the best of him until at least next season(Image: Getty Images)Liverpool will therefore need all the help it can get during the second half of the season, and Salah’s return from AFCON - whenever that is - now looks vital.For all the talk of the 33-year-old having potentially played his final game for the club, the Reds arguably need him now more than ever - if nothing else, just to lessen the burden on Hugo Ekitike up front.And that should make it easier for Slot to convince Salah to stay at Anfield. We all know he doesn’t take kindly to being left on the bench, but the Liverpool boss has little choice but to play him once he’s back.Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kitsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.
Learn moreFrom $100LFC.comSee the dealLiverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.“I think it’s pretty certain now that Mo Salah will stay when he comes back from AFCON,” Jamie Carragher, perhaps Salah’s most vocal critic during the fallout from his outburst earlier this month, said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football. If he feels his team is better off without last year’s Golden Boot winner, then that should be his decision.But given the current state of Liverpool’s squad, and what’s on the line during the second half of the season, the Reds can’t afford to let a player like that go next month.