Mohamed Salah returned to the Liverpool squad for their victory over Brighton and boss Arne Slot insists it was not a difficult decision to recall his talisman
Mohamed Salah and Arne Slot
Salah made his return to action for Liverpool against Brighton(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
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Liverpool boss Arne Slot insists it was an easy decision to restore Mohamed Salah to his squad after the Egyptian made a winning return against Brighton. Salah was recalled to the bench after being left at home against Inter Milan in midweek.
That followed a furious rant from the Egyptian at Elland Road last week after he was an unused substitute in a 3-3 draw against Leeds. It marked the third successive Premier League game he was named on the bench.
But after clear-the-air talks between Salah and his manager, the Reds icon was named in the squad for the Brighton clash. And he was called into action earlier than expected.
Joe Gomez was forced off through injury after 26 minutes, with Salah taking his place. He received a rapturous reception from the Kop who serenaded the 33-year-old in a hero's welcome.
Salah played the rest of the game and provided an assist for Hugo Ekitike who scored both goals for Slot's side. And the Dutchman says he had no doubts over whether to recall Salah.
"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."
Salah takes the adulation from the Kop
Salah takes the adulation from the Kop(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Ekitike also hailed his teammate, leaving fans in no doubt of the Liverpool dressing room's views on Salah after the last week. "Mohamed is a great, great professional," he told the BBC.
"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 now head to AFCON with Egypt. They play Nigeria in a friendly on Tuesday before beginning their campaign against Zimbabwe a week on Monday.
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