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First came the serenade for Mohamed Salah and then, a few seconds later, the chorus in Arne Slott’s name. Anfield didn’t have to choose between Liverpool’s greatest player of the last decade and their title-winning manager. He could have both. For another afternoon. Maybe for a very long time.
seven days after consultation Claimed no relation Now, it had been repaired enough to allow his return. Slott suggested that his problems were a thing of the past. “For me there is no issue to be resolved,” he said. “For me, he is the same as any other player.” It was not like this when he was a different man, dropped from the squad Who traveled to Milan. But the reconciliation means Liverpool can celebrate a happy end to a difficult week.
Brighton were defeated, extending Liverpool’s unbeaten run without Salah to five games. Hugo Akitike scored a double for the second Saturday in a row, but it looks like their future in life will be bleak forever. So it was again; Not from Salah’s words after the game but from his presence in it. A few days after it seemed he had played his last game for Liverpool, he played his next. It is more important than this being their last match before leaving for the African Cup of Nations. “It was an easy decision to keep him on the team,” Slott said. “Actions speak louder than what is said and he was in the team again and when I had to make my first replacement, I brought him on.”
So it had a restorative experience. Enfield may have been forgiven. There was an atmosphere of unity as Cope saluted Salah and then Slott. There was an immediate reason too: Salah had helped take the game past Brighton, with supporters singing his name before taking Ekitike’s headed corner.
“He was a threat and that’s important,” Slott said. “It’s pleasing to see but not surprising.” Salah had a shot blocked by Bart Verbruggen and in injury time, he missed an attempted shot by Federico Chiesa. At times it seemed as if his teammates were trying too hard to set him up for a goal, but perhaps it was fair that he walked away with an assist but no goal.
He exposed himself to danger with a desire to overcome every apparent opportunity; So, the commitment was still evident when Brighton hit back quickly on the counter-attack from a Liverpool corner. He was always running around – he could squeeze in single gym sessions while his team-mates were in Italy – and the player accused of being selfish after his outburst at Elland Road was intent on addressing the criticisms.
He may argue that he has always been a team player, but in his own way. His 421 Liverpool appearances have included 250 goals, but now, some 114 assists as well. “We have been on the wrong side of the set-piece battle too many times this season,” Slott said. This was another situation that Salah sought to improve.
And, after his talks with Slote on Friday paved the way for his return, the manager showed he was serious about bringing Salah back. The man who claimed he was thrown under the bus was dismissed earlier than expected, with Joe Gomez injured after 25 minutes and Dominik Szoboszlai, who had again assumed Salah’s usual role, returned at right-back.
Salah was welcomed with huge cheers and his song. It would seem that his past work should guarantee him selection, which is why he received a warm welcome. It was answered at the final whistle, with Salah applauding the fans, who also responded. The Egyptian said “thank you” to Kop while patting the badge on his shirt; He may have been trying to make room for some affection again, but it didn’t feel like he was saying goodbye. Slot argued, “He wasn’t the only player walking around the pitch thanking the fans.”
Salah’s reappearance was significant, Liverpool had already gone some way towards winning before his introduction. Ektyke scored two goals in three minutes in a quick shootout at Leeds last week. He added the fastest goal of the Premier League season and Liverpool’s first in the competition since 2019. He hooked in the half-volley with a brilliant finish. It originated from Yankuba Minteh’s awkward cross-field ball, which Joe Gomez headed on, providing an assist to the right-back.
With Alexander Isak confined to the bench due to a small knock, Ekitike was alone up front and electric, unleashing a series of shots. Yet Brighton had a threat of their own. Alisson saves from close range from Diego Gomez. The Paraguayan player later shot at the far post. Minteh was a threat, looking to contribute his share to the Liverpool goal. Brajan Gruda hit a shot wide. “Very disappointing result,” said Fabian Herzeler. “The game was there to win.”
They gave Kaoru Mitoma a chance to return after 10 weeks out but another substitute received a warm welcome. There was a standing ovation at Anfield for one of Liverpool’s great players in what was probably his final appearance at Anfield. But that was for James Milner. If the slot is to be believed, Salah may be seen again.