Mohamed Salah found the net for the first time in four games on Saturday as he buried Liverpool’s third goal of the game against Brighton.
It has been a leaner than usual season for the Egyptian who is remarkably still to hit double figures for the campaign.
However, Saturday brought positive signs that Salah is ready to begin contributing in an attacking sense once again.
Who gets your vote for man of the match in an excellent win over Brighton, and why?
The Reds are BACK
Curtis Jones points to the Anfield stand in celebration during Liverpool's FA Cup match against Brighton & Hove Albion
Photo by Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images
While that will be a relief for Liverpool supporters, arguably more important was that the 33-year-old’s all-round game looked so much sharper during the FA Cup tie.
His pace appeared to be restored along with his confidence at beating his full-back. And according to Arne Slot, Salah also displayed something that he is regularly chastised for not doing: defensive duties.
Mohamed Salah is helping out more defensively
Since Slot arrived at Liverpool in 2024, a big feature of Salah’s game has been a loosening of his responsibilities in defence.
This has led to some issues, with Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella publicly admitting that they had targeted the winger’s lack of defensive work in order to help them win their Premier League meeting in October.
Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion - Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
READ MORE: Liverpool vs Brighton: Milos Kerkez has rewarded Arne Slot’s decision to persist with left-back
But there has been a noticeable shift since Salah returned to Liverpool from the Africa Cup of Nations, and it was something Slot was keen to point out when asked about the Egypt legend’s performance against Brighton.
“It’s very nice to have him on the scoresheet again and him having an assist,” said the Liverpool head coach.
“But I think what I like the most at the moment, that he’s scoring goals is something you can almost expect, but he also helps the team a lot defensively. That is something very positive – what the team also needs – and I think more and more players are now capable of playing at this intensity level every three days.”
Is Mohamed Salah about to make his doubters look REALLY stupid?
What has changed with his recent performances?
Mohamed Salah applauds Liverpool supporters after beating Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield in the FA Cup (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC
Salah determined to end Liverpool career on a high
It was very clear that Salah was helping Curtis Jones out down the Liverpool right during Saturday’s victory.
Perhaps that was simply because Jones is a makeshift full-back and the veteran felt he needed to give him a little more protection than usual.
However, it felt more like there had been a shift in Salah’s thinking as he approaches what could be his final months as a Liverpool player.
There have been recent suggestions that Al Ittihad are lining up a move for Salah and given the FA Cup is one of only two trophies Liverpool can win this season, maybe he is just putting in that little bit of extra work to try and get the Reds to Wembley.
So, although it is good news that Salah is now doing his bit at both ends of the pitch, it could actually signal that his time at Anfield really is coming to an end.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox