Liverpool received good news as Mohamed Salah returned to training with the team, but defensive concerns remain with Ibrahima Konaté still uncertain for the away game at Marseille in the UEFA Champions League.
On 20 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Liverpool, the renowned English Premier League club, faces a mixed situation ahead of a crucial UEFA Champions League match that will influence their qualification hopes, as they prepare to visit Olympique Marseille on Wednesday at 03:00 GMT+7.
The good news for the Reds is the return of Mohamed Salah, their key striker, who has reported back and resumed training at the AXA Training Centre after completing his national team duties, boosting the chance of him playing again.
Reports indicate that Salah will undergo a detailed fitness evaluation during Tuesday's training before the staff make the final decision on whether he will be included in the squad to face Marseille. The 33-year-old has not played for Liverpool since the home win against Brighton.
However, Liverpool also face bad news in defense as French international Ibrahima Konaté has unexpectedly returned to his home country due to family reasons, and it remains unclear if he will rejoin the squad in time for the Marseille match.
James Pearce, a reporter closely covering Liverpool, reported that
“Ibrahima Konaté has traveled back to France for family reasons, and it is still uncertain whether he will be able to rejoin the team in Marseille.”
This situation may leave Liverpool with only Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez as professional center-back options, presenting a significant challenge ahead of a high-stakes game that affects both the match result and their chances of progressing in the UCL.