Liverpool will be without Mohamed Salah for an extended period due to his involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations but what happens after that is yet to be determined
Mohamed Salah waving at the end of Liverpool vs Brighton
Mohamed Salah waving at the end of Liverpool vs Brighton
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Liverpool star Mohamed Salah signed off before leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations by reminding fans of his new record. Whether or not Saturday's win against Brighton was his last for the club, he made sure to make it a game to remember.
Salah started on the bench over the weekend, but provided an assist for Hugo Ekitike after coming on as an early substitute. That took him up to 277 goal contributions for the Reds in the Premier League - more than any other player has managed for a single club.
Days earlier, the Egyptian had been left out of Liverpool's travelling squad for their Champions League win at Inter Milan. Comments about being thrown under the bus had cast doubt over his Anfield future, but Slot said it was easy to restore last season's top scorer - and Salah's tweet on Monday emphasised just how much he has done for the club during more than eight years on Merseyside.
The 33-year-old's 277 goals and assists for Liverpool puts him one clear of Wayne Rooney's 276 for Manchester United, with Ryan Giggs (271, also for United) in third. Harry Kane (259 for Tottenham) is the only other player above 250, followed by Thierry Henry (249 for Arsenal), Frank Lampard (237 for Chelsea), Sergio Aguero (231 for Manchester City) and Steven Gerrard (212 for Liverpool).
Liverpool fans showed their support in response to Salah's post. "No one is taking your place at the club soon. You’re a legend indeed," wrote one, with another saying: "I don’t think many in our fanbase understand what an achievement this is."
Salah's contribution against Brighton helped Liverpool win 2-0, with Ekitike scoring both goals. They sit sixth in the league at the time of writing, but Manchester United will leapfrog them if they avoid defeat against Bournemouth on Monday night.
The forward's return date will depend on how far Egypt go at AFCON. The 2021 finalists begin their campaign against Zimbabwe on December 22, with South Africa and Angola their other group stage opponents.
Mohamed Salah on Egypt duty
Salah is part of Egypt's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations
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"I think the reason why he wasn't in Milan was his interview and the question is always – and everybody has a different opinion about that – should he be once, twice, three times, four times, four months, 12 years... every manager makes [a] different decision in that," Arne Slot said when discussing Salah after Saturday's win.
"He wasn't involved in the game against Milan, I spoke to him yesterday and usually I never say anything about what we talk about, I am not going to make an exception now but I think actions speak louder than what has been said. He was in the squad again and when I had to make my first substitution, I brought him in and he performed as I think every fan – including me – would like him to perform today."
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