Mohamed Salah returns to Liverpool matchday squad for Brighton after crunch talks with Arne Slot
Abbie Meehan Sports Writer U-35s
11:13, 13 Dec 2025
Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Roberto Firmino of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on February 15, 2022 in Kirkby, England.
View 7 Images
Roberto Firmino responded to the Mohamed Salah situation(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Arne Slot has welcomed Mohamed Salah back into the Liverpool squad after crucial talks on Friday. The duo had been locked in a very public row following the Egyptian's scathing remarks after the 3-3 draw with Leeds United.
Following a three-match spell on the bench, Salah slammed Liverpool for "throwing me under the bus" as the club struggled for wins in the Premier League. As a result, the 33-year-old was omitted from the travelling squad for the Champions League clash at Inter Milan and worked in isolation this week.
On Friday, Slot confirmed that discussions would take place between him and the player to reach an agreement. Salah has been restored to the matchday squad for the Brighton encounter following this conversation, though it's unclear whether he'll be in the starting XI.
Arne Slot, Manger of Liverpool, shakes hands with Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the Carabao Cup Final between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on March 16, 2025 in London, England.
View 7 Images
Arne Slot has welcomed Salah back into the fold(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Former Liverpool hero Roberto Firmino weighed in on the saga as speculation mounted that Salah might be heading to Saudi Arabia. Here, the Daily Star details what's been said about the Egyptian's squad return and who might tempt him away from the Premier League.
Mohamed Salah reaction
Firmino has reacted favourably to news of Salah's squad recall at Liverpool. Prior to the peace negotiations, Slot confirmed in a press conference that he would decide on the Brighton team selection after thorough talks with Salah.
He said: "I will have a conversation with him this morning and the outcome of that conversation will determine how it looks tomorrow. What I need is a conversation with him and the next time I speak about Mo should be with him and not in here. There's not much more I can say. I speak to him today and the outcome determines how things will look tomorrow."
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool interacts with teammate Roberto Firmino following the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Liverpool FC at Friends Provident St. Mary's Stadium on May 28, 2023 in Southampton, England.
View 7 Images
Firmino is happy that Salah is back in the fold at Liverpool(Image: Michael Steele/Getty Images)
After Salah's squad inclusion was confirmed, the announcement quickly spread across social media platforms, with Fabrizio Romano among those sharing the update. Firmino spotted the reporter's post and responded with his own take - three telling emojis consisting of a red heart, clapping hands and prayer symbols.
The Brazilian's reaction suggested he was hoping for a swift end to the tensions between Slot and Salah. The former Reds favourite will no doubt be delighted for his old teammate, having previously expressed his joy when the Egyptian secured another Premier League title at Anfield.
Following Liverpool's championship success, the 34-year-old said: "I'm happy for Liverpool and for what Mohamed Salah has achieved. I think we have a great friendship, and we've built a beautiful history together. If he's watching me now, I'm very proud of him and his friendship."
Roberto Firmino's Saudi ordeal
Roberto Firmino of Al Ahli looks on prior the Saudi Pro League match between Al Ettifaq and Al Ahli at Al Ettifaq Club Stadium on January 20, 2025 in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
View 7 Images
Roberto Firmino had a nightmare in Saudi Arabia(Image: Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Whilst rumours swirl around Salah potentially heading to Saudi Arabia, Firmino has already departed that league after a torrid beginning to 2025. The Brazilian made the switch to Al-Ahli during the summer of 2023, leaving Liverpool on a free transfer.
He scored 21 goals and provided 17 assists in 65 appearances for the Saudi Pro League team, helping them win the AFC Champions League in the 2024/25 season. However, his troubles began in early 2025 when the club chose to de-register him from the squad to make room for £41.6m signing Galeno.
With only 10 foreign players permitted per club, Firmino was downgraded to accommodate the new arrival. Following this setback, the Brazilian was rumoured to be on his way to Real Madrid to boost their attack alongside Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr.
Roberto Firmino of Al Sadd SC reacts during the Doha Bank Stars League Qatar match between Al Sadd SC and Al Rayyan SC at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on October 30, 2025.
View 7 Images
Now the Brazilian is plying his trade in Qatar(Image: Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
However, Firmino didn't head to Spain. He instead chose the Qatar Stars League, signing a two-year contract with Al Sadd. Since then, the seasoned striker has scored six goals and provided one assist in nine appearances, indicating that he has comfortably settled into his new team.
Ex-Reds transfer thoughts
One ex-Liverpool star who would likely advise Salah to consider a move to Saudi Arabia is Sadio Mane. The winger was a hero on the pitch for the Reds, scoring 120 goals and assisting 46 times in 269 appearances alongside close friends and teammates Salah and Firmino.
Mane left Anfield for Bayern Munich in 2022 on a three-year deal worth an initial £27.5million. However, the Senegal international departed Germany after just one season with the Bundesliga side.
Liverpool's Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah (C) celebrates scoring his team's second goal with Liverpool's Senegalese striker Sadio Mane (L) and Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on June 24, 2020.
View 7 Images
The Liverpool trio were exceptional in the Premier League(Image: PHIL NOBLE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Mane was deemed surplus to requirements by then-boss Thomas Tuchel, with fitness problems also overshadowing his league win that year. Ex-Liverpool teammates Fabinho and Firmino persuaded him to make the switch to Saudi Arabia, both having already joined different clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
In a 2023 interview with The National, Mane revealed how both players attempted to lure him to their respective sides, though he ultimately chose Al-Nassr. He said: "I think first of all I spoke with Firmino for sure. I think he wanted me to come to the wrong club – I'm joking! He always called two or three times to convince me to come to Al Ahli.
"At the same time I spoke with Fabinho because he was quite close to me and he also wanted me to come to Al Ittihad, but in this time when Al Nassr came, I chose Al Nassr. Of course Henderson is here also, and he sent me a message two days ago to wish me good luck and I'm excited to meet all these great guys and also to meet them face to face for the first time. I'm going to win against you guys!"
Sadio Mane of Al Nassr FC warming up prior to the Pre-Season Friendly match between Al Nassr FC and Rio Ave FC at Estádio Algarve on August 7, 2025 in Faro, Portugal.
View 7 Images
Sadio Mane could convince Salah to leave Liverpool(Image: Maciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Now, Mane could be the one to entice Salah towards a Saudi move in future, having praised the nation for being a Muslim country - which also happens to be the Egyptian's faith. He added: "Since I had the opportunity I spoke to my family, and they were happiest of course because it is a Muslim country. My mum especially encouraged me to go.
"My mum is Muslim like me, she was the first to vote for me to go there and my whole family was excited for me to come here so it was not hard – it is important to my faith. I am pleased to be part of this project and to make it go forward, we have a bright future ahead."
The footballer also revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo played a significant role in his decision. Mane said: "I think you can see how quick everything goes for me, because he is one of the best players in history if not the best of course. And that was easy for me, he makes it easier for me.
Article continues below
"And (Brazil midfielder) Talisca and the other boys, they are all really great players and I am really excited to start the league with all these boys to make the club a real success."