Arne Slot makes final Mohamed Salah decision ahead of Liverpool star's AFCON departure

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And while he was again named on the substitutes’ bench, he impressed after being brought on in the first half for the injured Joe Gomez in what is his final game before he departs for the Africa Cup of Nations.Salah assisted Liverpool’s second goal for Hugo Ekitike as they ran out 2-0 victors over the Seagulls, in what will be his last appearance for the Reds before reporting for Africa Cup of Nations duty.The 33-year-old was recalled to the Liverpool squad following productive talks with Slot on Friday.And while the Dutchman would not reveal what had been said between the pair, he looked to put the matter to bed as he praised Salah following his performance in the victory over Brighton.“No, for me there is no issue to resolve,” he said at his post-match press conference. “For me, he is the same as any other player.“You talk to your players if you are happy or unhappy with things but there is nothing for me to talk about after what happened against Leeds after the game.“The reason he wasn’t in Milan was his interview.

When I speak to Virgil or Mo or any other player, I never tell you guys what we talk about.“But 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 every fan wanted him to, including me, would like him to perform today.”Salah was the last Liverpool player to leave the pitch after the win as he waved to all four corners of the Anfield crowd.But Slot dismissed the suggestion that the forward might have been bidding farewell to supporters ahead of a possible January exit.“I think he wasn’t the only player who walked around the pitch, thanking the fans because I think our fans deserved a thank you from us,” he said.

I hope he is going to do very well and in the meantime we have to play here without him, with not that many players available at the moment.“He is a Liverpool player and the moment he is there, I like to use him when we need him.“Today he didn’t start, as he didn’t a few times before, but in the one and a half seasons before he started almost every game.“Today when he came in, he had the performance like you would want him to give. I think he was shocked to see Virgil next to him in that long sprint.“He was close to scoring when Fede assisted him, he was a threat and that is very important.