9 hours ago
44
The Anfield Civil War has ended, long live the Egyptian King. Mohamed Salah made his return to the Liverpool squad against Brighton and Hove Albion, helping the Reds extend their unbeaten streak to five games.
Despite starting on the bench, the forward made a significant impact when he was introduced midway through the first half, assisting Liverpool in securing a 2-0 victory over the Seagulls, thanks to Hugo Ekitike's well-executed double.
Speculation about his future will undoubtedly persist following his candid remarks about Arne Slot and the club last weekend. However, the Dutch manager insists that the issue has been resolved after a cordial discussion between the two on Friday.
Regardless, Liverpool will have to make do without Salah for several weeks as he heads off to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Unsurprisingly, the Egyptian's return to the Liverpool line-up was a major talking point. here's how the national media perceived the latest positive result for the Reds as Slot's team continues to regain form.
Richard Jolly -The Independent - "First came the serenade to Mohamed Salah and then, seconds later, the chorus of Arne Slot's name. Anfield did not need to choose between Liverpool's greatest player of the last decade and title-winning manager. They could have both. For one more afternoon. Perhaps for much longer.
"Seven days after Salah had claimed they had no relationship any more, it was repaired sufficiently to allow his return... a rapprochement meant Liverpool could celebrate a happy ending to a fraught week.
"Brighton were beaten, Liverpool's unbeaten run without Salah starting stretching to five games. Hugo Ekitike scored a double for a second successive Saturday but it seems his lot in life is to be forever overshadowed. So he was again; not by Salah's words after the game but by his presence in it. A few days after it seemed he may have played his last game for Liverpool, he played his next. It assumed a far greater importance than merely being his last before he heads off to the African Cup of Nations.
"So there was a restorative feel to it. Anfield may have been swathed in forgiveness. There was an air of unity when the Kop saluted first Salah and then Slot. There was an immediate reason, too: Salah had helped put the game beyond Brighton, the supporters singing his name before he took the corner that Ekitike headed in."
Andy Hunter - The Guardian - "There were tears in Mohamed Salah's eyes when he applauded the Kop after the final whistle and his family were present, as requested, for what the forward had suggested could be his goodbye to Liverpool. But Anfield was not in the mood to let go. Say it ain't so, Mo.
"Did victory over toothless Brighton on Saturday really represent the end of a phenomenal Liverpool career? Only Salah knows the answer to that. Beyond question was the 33-year-old's determination to make an impact after his 26th-minute introduction, Arne Slot's willingness to put the team above the individual and Anfield's appreciation for one of its greatest talents.
"Salah's name echoed from the Kop when he entered the pitch, when he delivered the corner that led to Hugo Ekitiké's second goal and after victory was secured. Slot's name was chanted frequently too. The message was clear: this is not the time and place for division. There is a season to save."
Ian Herbert - The Daily Mail - "He said he was bringing his mother for a look around the place where he has traced the track of so many wonderful years and when he stood apart from others during the warmup, gazing wistfully around in a valedictory way, you sensed he was conveying another of those messages he lands so well.
"But Anfield has a way of altering the course of events, shaping its own history, giving more back to those it loves most. And so it was that a first-half injury to a wing-back gave Mo Salah his stage back and an hour in which to suggest that he's not quite done with Anfield yet.
"What ensued after his arrival for Joe Gomez, four minutes before the half-hour mark, was by no means the Salah vintage. Nothing to be remembered in its own right, long after he's gone. He raced the length of the pitch like the wind, to be on hand to receive a ball Federico Chiesa was advancing with in injury time, but instead struck the Italian's slightly overhit pass over the bar. His own pass on another counter-attacking thrust at the death was desperately poor.
"In a sign of how quickly the balance shifts and the world moves on in football, the 33 year old's spotlight was somewhat stolen by one of those expected to carry the torch: Hugo Ekitike, who netted twice and was a constant, unstoppable, unpredictable force – destined to experience what Salah has discovered here. However, this was no less a reaffirmation of the vows and proof that Salah will surely be here to help Liverpool overcome their current struggles."
Sam Wallace - The Daily Telegraph - "He was the last to leave the pitch at the end, his adapted song from the band James hastily played over the public address system at Anfield and if this wasn't a goodbye from Mohamed Salah then it certainly seemed laden with significance.
"The revered No 11, whose Saturday night outburst sparked a week of Anfield turmoil, is set to represent Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations and whether he returns to Merseyside remains a hot topic. After making amends with Arne Slot, he began the game on the bench and appeared quietly irate about it. Only an injury to Joe Gomez thrust him into the first-half action, and despite his best efforts, the man with 250 goals for Liverpool couldn't notch up the 251st.
"There were moments when the old Salah, cutting in from the right on his left foot, threatened to re-emerge, but the reality is that it was another performance where he didn't reach the lofty standards of his past. The hero of the match was Hugo Ekitike, who netted twice and secured the victory for Liverpool. Slot's team are still not firing on all cylinders, but against a Brighton side who failed to capitalise on their opportunities, it was sufficient."
Jonathan Northcroft - The Times - "If this was goodbye it was graceful, humble. A rebuttal to the character assassinations, an elegant silencing of the chatter. Mo Salah has been Liverpool's superstar, their game-changer, the sort of hero whose contract extension announcement is accompanied by images of him seated on a golden throne. But, if this was the end, the Egyptian King exited with an act of service..
"Being Salah, he shattered more records, with the assist propelling him to the top of the all-time Premier League goal involvements (277) for a single club. He couldn't add to it. In stoppage time, when a superb pass from Andrew Robertson found Federico Chiesa, Salah latched onto Chiesa's pass five yards out but the ball came quickly and he blasted his effort over, falling on his back and grinning at himself: one last goal, that would have been too perfect.
"Of course, this being Salah, also nothing is certain. He has always been enigmatic and maybe this will prove to be no farewell at all... but the scene at full-time suggested the player remains unsure what his future holds..
"From the corner came Salah's assist. Maybe his last, maybe not. But if the art of goodbyes is to leave them wanting more he achieved that. There was love and regret in the Kop's tone when they sang his song."
English (US) ·