Mohamed Salah basked in the Anfield crowd and made sure to applaud all in attendance on Saturday after he was introduced from the bench early in Liverpool's clash against Brighton
Mohamed Salah waves to The Kop after Liverpool's win over Brighton
Mohamed Salah seemed emotional after Liverpool's win against Brighton
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Mohamed Salah will not be seen again by Liverpool fans, according to a body language expert. The Egyptian forward lashed out at the club last week, claiming he'd been "thrown under the bus" after reduced playing time.
Salah caused an almighty stir after the Reds' draw with Leeds United and let rip in a fiery post-match interview. This drew speculation that the Africa Cup of Nations-bound forward could soon leave Anfield.
Arne Slot expressed his surprise at Salah's comments, having benched the 33-year-old for the past few fixtures, and crunch talks were held. Despite missing a midweek trip to Inter, he was in the squad against the Seagulls on Saturday, and an injury to Joe Gomez saw him brought on after just 25 minutes.
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Salah grabbed an assist in the 2-0 win but cut an emotional figure at full-time, applauding every corner of Anfield and being one of he last players to leave the field. Body language expert Darren Stanton thinks this is a sign that he will depart Liverpool imminently.
"Mohamed Salah looked very, very emotional after the Brighton game," Stanton told OLBG. "I think it was almost like his epitaph. I don't think we're going to see him again, if I'm honest.
"He had tears in his eyes when he was clapping along with the crowd, so I think that's his swan song, his kind of farewell," Stanton continued.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool reacts at full time during the Premier League match against Brighton
An expert thinks Salah's days with Liverpool are numbered
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"I think even though it's not formal, I think he knows in his heart that he's never going to be in that situation and walk on that pitch again. So I do think he's going to be going and not coming back.
"Salah had an expression, it was sadness and disappointment because, obviously, things hadn't gone differently. Principally, he was quite sad, quite emotional, had tears in his eyes, and facially, he was flashing microexpressions of sadness."
The match ended 2-0, with Hugo Ekitike opening the scoring inside of a minute and the Frenchman adding another goal on the hour mark, which Salah had set up.
Manager Slot was questioned about Salah after the victory and when asked if he wanted to see the forward back after he has represented Egypt at AFCON, the Dutchman simply replied: "Yes."
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and manager Arne Slot during the Premier League match at Anfield
Slot was coy when speaking about Salah
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Salah himself declined speaking to the media, joking: "Two weekends in a row? No, no." But Slot was asked if the 33-year-old had a desire to stay at Anfield.
"That I think you already know the answer," he replied. "What has been said between us stays between us. He was in the squad and my first substitution.
"There is no issue for me to resolve," he added. "For me, he is now the same as any other player. There is nothing for me to talk about after what happened against Leeds."
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