The serenade for Mohamed Salah filled Anfield, quickly followed by chants for Arne Slot. In that moment, the fans were reminded that they didn’t have to choose between Liverpool’s greatest player of the last decade and a title-winning manager—they could celebrate both, if only for this one afternoon, with the hope of more to come.
Just a week after Salah had declared that he and Slot had no relationship, the air between them seemed to clear, allowing his return to the squad. Slot indicated that their earlier issues were behind them. “For me, there is no issue to resolve,” he stated. “For me, he is the same as any other player.” This sentiment wasn’t true last week when Salah was excluded from the squad that went to Milan. However, their reconciliation brought joy to Liverpool fans, allowing them to celebrate at the end of a tumultuous week.
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Against Brighton, Liverpool triumphed, extending their unbeaten streak without Salah starting to five games. Hugo Ekitike netted a brace for the second week in a row, but once again found himself overshadowed; this time, not by Salah’s remarks, but by his actual presence on the pitch. Days after it seemed he might have played his last game for Liverpool, Salah took the field again, increasing the game’s significance beyond it being just another match before he heads to the African Cup of Nations. “It was an easy decision to include him in the squad,” Slot noted. “Actions speak louder than words; he was back in the squad, and when it came time for my first substitution, I brought him on.”
This occasion carried a sense of healing. Anfield felt wrapped in forgiveness and unity, as the Kop cheered first for Salah and then for Slot. There was a practical reason too; Salah had played a crucial role in securing Liverpool’s victory over Brighton, prompting fans to sing his name before he took the corner that led to Ekitike’s header.
Hugo Ekitike heads home after Mohamed Salah’s corner (Getty)
Ekitike is congratulated by his Liverpool teammates (AP)
“He was a threat, which is important,” Slot said. “It’s pleasing to see, but not surprising.” Salah had one shot saved by Bart Verbruggen and another effort that he sent over the bar in injury time, set up by Federico Chiesa. At times, it felt as though his teammates were overly eager to assist him, but perhaps it was fitting that he exited the match with an assist rather than a goal.
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Salah’s inclination to pass at every opportunity cost him some chances, but his commitment was evident when he sprinted back to defend during a Brighton counter-attack. He displayed relentless energy, suggesting those solo training sessions while teammates were in Italy paid off. A player previously criticized for being selfish after his comments at Elland Road seemed determined to address that perception.
He could argue that he has always been a team player, albeit in his own way. In his 421 appearances for Liverpool, he has scored 250 goals and provided 114 assists. “We have often found ourselves on the wrong side of the set-piece battle this season,” Slot mentioned. Salah took steps to correct that issue.
After his talks with Slot on Friday eased the path for his return, the manager acted decisively to reintroduce Salah. The man who felt he was “thrown under the bus” was substituted on earlier than anticipated due to an injury to Joe Gomez after 25 minutes, prompting Dominik Szoboszlai to move to right-back.
Mohamed Salah comes off the bench at Anfield (Martin Rickett/PA)
Salah played his role in the victory (Getty)
Salah was met with enthusiastic cheers and chants. The past achievements that he believed earned him a place in the lineup were warmly acknowledged by the fans. After the final whistle, he reciprocated the appreciation, clapping back at the supporters, who showed their gratitude in return. The Egyptian mouthed a “thank you” to the Kop before patting the badge on his shirt; though it felt more like a gesture of connection rather than a farewell. “He wasn’t the only player who walked around the pitch, thanking the fans,” Slot pointed out.
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While Salah’s return was significant, Liverpool had already taken strong steps toward securing their victory prior to his on-field appearance. Ekitike had scored two goals within three minutes in an exciting sequence against Leeds last week, and this time, he netted the fastest goal of the Premier League season—Liverpool’s quickest since 2019—with a brilliant half-volley, assisted by Joe Gomez, who headed down Yankuba Minteh’s surprising cross-field ball.
With Alexander Isak sidelined with a minor injury, Ekitike stood alone at the front, proving electrifying as he unleashed multiple shots. However, Brighton posed their own threats, with Alisson making a close-range save against Diego Gomez, followed by another effort from the Paraguayan going just wide at the far post. Minteh also showed promise, just missing the goal after a strike from Brajan Gruda. “It was a frustrating result,” admitted Fabian Hurzeler. “The game was there for the taking.”
He gave Kaoru Mitoma a chance to return after a ten-week absence, but another substitute drew a louder cheer. Anfield erupted for a Liverpool great potentially making his final appearance at the stadium—James Milner. If Slot is to be believed, Salah still has a future at Liverpool.