LIVERPOOL, Jan. 17 -- Liverpool manager Arne Slot has said he is happy to welcome Mohamed Salah back to the squad after the forward's Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) duty with Egypt, even joking that he would have welcomed him back "if he had 15 attackers."

Read More: Mo Salah focused on Egypt success at AFCON

Salah is set to play in Egypt's third-place play-off against Nigeria on Saturday in Morocco, marking the final stage of his AFCON campaign. The forward's return has drawn attention following an explosive interview in early December in which he accused Liverpool of sidelining him and claimed a strained relationship with Slot.

The Egypt striker appeared as a substitute in Liverpool's 2-0 Premier League win against Brighton on Decembe...