Mohamed Salah was back in the matchday squad for Liverpool on Saturday and registered an assist for the Reds' second goal
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool pats the badge on his shirt after the Premier League match against Brighton
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool pats the badge on his shirt after the Premier League match against Brighton
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Liverpool and Arne Slot have been warned that the discussion surrounding Mohamed Salah's future will not disappear anytime soon, despite the Egyptian's return to the matchday squad this weekend.
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The Reds secured a much-needed 2-0 win over Brighton at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday. An early strike from Hugo Ekitike was followed by a header from the forward in the second half to seal a crucial three points.
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Salah was initially named on the bench after he was dropped from the squad entirely in midweek against Inter Milan as a result of his bombshell interview last Saturday. The 33-year-old claimed his relationship with the manager had broken down following three straight games on the bench, while a January exit could not be ruled out, with his future at Anfield plunged into doubt.
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Liverpool's talisman was reinstated to the squad this weekend following peace talks on Friday, but his future at the club is no clearer. He will now depart for the next month to lead Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, with a clearer picture expected upon his return.
That said, Match of the Day pundits Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy have warned the discourse around Salah, his playing time and his future will not be going away anytime soon. Although he will be away with his country over the coming weeks, questions will ultimately still persist.
"I think what is also noticeable is I don't think it is going to go away as much as Arne Slot and Liverpool would want it to," Shearer explained on Match of the Day. "Itβs settled down because he's away now for the AFCON as well, so it will quieten down, but the quicker that comes to an end, then the questions will start again."
Mohamed Salah and Arne Slot appear to have made up following his 64-minute Liverpool appearance off the bench against Brighton and Hove Albion
Mohamed Salah and Arne Slot appear to have made up following his 64-minute Liverpool appearance off the bench against Brighton and Hove Albion
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Murphy then added: "I agree with Alan. I think that short-term resolution was a surprise to everyone, but it makes sense the more you think about it. The club's the most important, and now it's going to stop for a while."
Salah applauded the Liverpool fans as they chanted his song at the full-time whistle on Saturday, with the Egyptian impressing off the bench as an early substitute for the injured Joe Gomez. It was his corner that met the head of Ekitike for the Reds' second of the afternoon, meaning Salah set a new record for the most goal involvements at a single club in the Premier League.
Slot made every effort to pour cold water on speculation over Salah's future in his post-match press conference. "He wasn't the only player who walked around the pitch thanking the fans because the fans deserved a thank you from us," the head coach emphasised.
"Mo is going to go the AFCON now. I hope he is going to do very well and in the meantime we have to play here without him with not that many players available."
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