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Liverpool and Arne Slot have been cautioned that the ongoing debate about Mohamed Salah's future is unlikely to be resolved in the near future, despite the Egyptian forward's return to the matchday squad this weekend.
The Reds clinched a vital 2-0 victory over Brighton at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday. A swift goal from Hugo Ekitike was followed by a second-half header from the forward, securing a crucial three points.
Salah found himself initially named as a substitute after being dropped from the squad entirely for the midweek clash against Inter Milan, following his explosive interview last Saturday.
The 33-year-old suggested his relationship with the manager had deteriorated after three consecutive games on the bench, and he didn't rule out a January departure, casting uncertainty over his future at Anfield.
Liverpool's star player was brought back into the squad this weekend after peace talks on Friday, but his future at the club remains uncertain. He will now leave for the next month to captain Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, with more clarity expected upon his return.
However, Match of the Day pundits Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy have warned that the conversation surrounding Salah, his playing time and his future, is not going to disappear anytime soon.
Even though he'll be away with his national team in the coming weeks, questions will inevitably continue to linger.
"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 elaborated on Match of the Day. "It's 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."
Murphy chimed in: "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 acknowledged the Liverpool supporters as they sang his song at the final whistle on Saturday, with the Egyptian shining as an early replacement for the injured Joe Gomez.
It was his corner that found Ekitike's head for Liverpool's second goal of the day, setting a new record for Salah for the most goal involvements at a single Premier League club.
Slot attempted to quell rumours about Salah's future during 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 stressed.
"Mo is off to the AFCON now. I hope he performs exceptionally well and in the meantime, we have to play here without him with not many players available."
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