Mohamed Salah was back in Liverpool’s matchday squad and he played a key role as the team beat Brighton. Manager Arne Slot said bringing Salah back was an easy call.
Salah had been left out of the squad for the midweek trip to Inter Milan and was an unused substitute in the draw at Leeds, where he showed visible frustration. After a private discussion with Slot, he returned to the bench for the game against Brighton and entered the match early.
Joe Gomez picked up an injury after 26 minutes, and Salah replaced him. The Kop greeted him warmly when he came on and he remained on the field for the rest of the match. Salah set up Hugo Ekitike, who scored both goals in the 2-0 win.
Slot praised Salah’s influence during the game and said his inclusion was never in doubt. “I think he was a threat,” Slot told Sky Sports. “The first ball he touched, he almost made an assist for Mac Allister. He was constantly involved in the fact we had Mo. Pleasing to see but not a surprise.
“It was an easy decision to put him in the squad. I have said many times before what has been said between us will stay between us. We needed him and he assisted to the 2-0 which is nice for us. We have been so many times this season on the wrong side of the set-piece battle.
“He goes to the AFCON and that means for us another player down. This is what we knew before the season started. Hopefully one or two players can come back from injury.”
Team-mate Ekitike also spoke highly of Salah and of the dressing room mood. “Mohamed is a great, great professional,” he said during an interview.
“I look to him as an example. You can see how much he is involved in goals and assists. He is a legend here. To share the pitch is a blessing. That’s the kind of player who makes us like to watch football.”
Salah will join Egypt for AFCON soon. Before the tournament starts, Egypt will play a friendly against Nigeria and then open their campaign against Zimbabwe next week.
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