The stage is set for an electric FA Cup quarter-final at the Etihad Stadium, and Liverpool manager Arne Slot has received the ultimate boost as Mohamed Salah is fit for the clash.
Speaking ahead of today’s lunchtime encounter against Manchester City, Slot confirmed that the Egyptian talisman has returned to full training and is ready to feature in what will be his final visit to the Etihad as a Liverpool player.
Following Salah’s recent announcement that the 2025-26 season will be his last on Merseyside, the narrative surrounding the clash has shifted from a mere tactical battle to a celebration of a legendary legacy.
Slot was glowing in his appraisal of the forward, who returns from a brief injury layoff just in time for the business end of the season.
“It’s been unbelievable what he did for this club for so many years… scoring the goals he did, having the assists, winning the trophies,” Slot remarked. “I saw a beautiful photo of him in front of all the trophies he’s won, and I can only hope he can add two extra trophies to it towards the end of the season.”
Addressing whether the looming departure would affect Salah’s focus, Slot was dismissive. He emphasized that Salah’s professional “best possible shape” has been a constant for nearly a decade, and expect nothing less than total commitment until his final kick for the club.
While Salah returns, the Reds remain without Alisson Becker. Slot used the press conference to reflect on the physical toll of a relentless season, noting that while the team has often shined in “big games,” their greatest enemy has been the sheer volume of fixtures.
Reflecting on a previous 3-0 defeat at the Etihad earlier this term, Slot noted that while refereeing decisions played a part, City were simply better in the first half. However, he pointed to the second-half dominance Liverpool displayed in the return fixture at Anfield as a blueprint for success.
“It’s interesting for us to see now where we are after seven or eight months,” Slot said. “More and more players are ready for this schedule now than they were in the first half of the season.”
Slot emphasized the “vital” importance of an early lead, welcoming back Alexander Isak to bolster an attack that has occasionally struggled to convert dominance into goals. The manager highlighted that “retaining an attacking element” in the opening minutes is crucial when facing a side as possession-heavy as Pep Guardiola’s City.
Despite the daunting atmosphere of the Etihad, Slot is looking to the travelling Kops to bridge the gap. Due to the FA Cup’s larger away-allocation rules, the Reds will be backed by a massive contingent.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they would even be louder than the fans of City,” Slot quipped with a touch of wit. With a spot in the semi-finals at Wembley on the line, Liverpool will need every bit of that vocal energy to overcome their greatest rivals and keep the dream of a trophy-laden farewell for Mohamed Salah alive.