Liverpool manager Arne Slot has moved to quell lingering rumors of a rift with his talismanic forward, declaring he would welcome Mohamed Salah back "even if I had 15 attackers." The statement comes as the Egyptian captain prepares to return to Merseyside following the Pharaohs' heartbreaking semi-final exit at AFCON 2025 in Morocco.

The "Egyptian King" is set to feature in the third-place play-off against Nigeria this Saturday before jetting back to the UK. For Kenyan Liverpool fans, who have followed the drama with bated breath, Slot’s comments offer a sigh of relief after an "explosive" interview in December where Salah accused the club of throwing him "under the bus."

Burying the Hatchet?

"Mo has been so important for this club, for me, so I'm happy that he's back," Slot told reporters ahead of Liverpool's clash with Burnley. The Dutchman’s tone was conciliatory, a stark contrast to the icy exchanges reported last month.

• The Friction: Tension peaked when Salah was benched for three consecutive games in December, sparking speculation of a January exit.
• The Resolution: Salah responded on the pitch with an assist against Brighton before departing for AFCON, and Slot now insists the club has "moved on."

AFCON Heartbreak

Salah's dream of lifting the continental trophy remains elusive. Egypt's campaign in Morocco ended in despair against a Sadio Mane-inspired Senegal, leaving Salah to fight for bronze. Despite the national disappointment, his return is a massive boost for Liverpool's title charge.

"What happens between Mo and me stays between us," Slot added, shutting down further inquiries. For the Kop—and the thousands of Reds fans in Nairobi—the only thing that matters is seeing number 11 back on the wing.