Liverpool Squad Confirmed for Marseille: Salah In, Konaté Out

Liverpool FC has officially named a 20-man traveling squad for their Champions League clash against Olympique Marseille at the Stade Vélodrome on Wednesday night, with key decisions on Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konaté.[2][4][6]

Mohamed Salah, the 33-year-old Egyptian forward, has returned to the squad after a month away on Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) duty with Egypt, where he scored four goals en route to a fourth-place finish.[3][5] Salah rejoined training on Tuesday lunchtime following Egypt's third-place playoff loss on Saturday, marking his first session with Liverpool in nearly two months.[1][3][5] His inclusion comes amid past tensions, including an explosive interview after a chaotic 3-3 draw at Leeds in early December, where he accused the club of throwing him "under the bus" and questioned his relationship with head coach Arne Slot. He was omitted from the Inter Milan squad but substituted in against Brighton before departing for international duty.[3] Close friend Dominik Szoboszlai confirmed daily contact but deferred to the manager's decision on his role.[3] Salah's return is timely, as pundits like Jamie Carragher have noted Liverpool's recent lack of attacking edge.[5]

Conversely, Ibrahima Konaté is absent from the traveling party, reportedly due to a family matter, leaving Slot with limited center-back options—potentially just two seniors for the fixture.[4][5][6] Fans and reports express hope for his swift return, prioritizing his welfare.[5]

The full squad includes:

• Goalkeepers: Alisson, Mamardashvili, Woodman
• Defenders: Gomez, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Robertson, Frimpong
• Midfielders: Endo, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister (partial list)

Exact details await full confirmation, but the group flew to France post-training.[2][8] This match is crucial for Liverpool's push toward the top eight in the league phase for direct round-of-16 qualification.[5]

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