Liverpool head coach Arne Slot faced the media last night ahead of a crucial Champions League fixture against Marseille. Slot was posed questions on the return of Mohammed Salah, Konate absence and the rumours surrounding Xabi Alonso's future.

Concerns - Performances or Results?

Without specifying his involvement against Marseille, Slot said he is "happy and pleased" with Salah's return, especially given Liverpool's recent spate of unconverted goalscoring chances. Last weekend's 1-1 result against Burnley was Liverpool's fourth straight draw in the Premier League after goalless finishes against Arsenal and Leeds United sandwiched a 2-2 disappointment at Fulham.
Harrison Reed's 97th minute wonder strike undid what Liverpool thought was their winning goal when Cody Gapko had scored just minutes before. Their inability to hold on to leads, according to Reds left-back Milos Kerkez, will require "maybe some tactical discipline" because "after 60, 70 minutes, we always lose that focus."

Team News - Defensive Head Scratcher

As for Liverpool's number 5, Konate not travelling with them, the official line is he has stayed back "because of family matters" and that's to be left "at that", according to Slot. No mention was made of talks over his contract with Liverpool, which expires at the end of June this year and could see him leave Anfield as a free agent in the summer.
With Konate not playing, English defender Joe Gomez is expected to partner captain Virgil van Dijk, with the duo being the only two senior centre-halves registered for the Champions League. Calvin Ramsay was not listed by Liverpool for the competition, meaning another selection void could see Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo filling in as makeshift choices, along with vice- captain Andrew Robertson.

Xabi Alonso & Boos

Recent failures to beat sides they were expected to have seen contentment levels dropping among some sections of the Anfield faithful. Calls were being suggested as rumours for Slot to be replaced at the Melwood helm and they intensified especially since former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso departed his Real Madrid
position as first team coach.

Arne Slot however, joked away the suggestion of feeling any pressure of being replaced by the former Bayern Munich boss.

The matter of any booing fans after recent unfavourable results was also described by the Liverpool boss as "completely normal when you draw at home against Burnley."

The Opponents

Credit: BBC

Roberto de Zerbi's Marseille are on a hot scoring streak, having netted 16 goals and let in just four times in their last 3 matches across all competitions. This includes the recent 5-2 away drubbing of Angers SCO in the Ligue 1, just days after annihilating sixth-tier Bayeux 9-0 in the last 32 of the Coupe de France. The goals might have come against an amateur side but did include a hat-trick by former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood, who has 12 goals this season, and has been tipped by his manager to win the Ballon d'Or. Liverpool's squad rotation dilemmas may still not make it as easy as Bayeux for the Englishman to hope for another stream of goals for himself.

Slot's side have, however, shown a weakness at the back throughout this season, surrendering leads and letting in arguably avoidable goals to muddy the waters.

For the Liverpool faithful, players, and team boss: "A game to look forward to."