Salah Shows Liverpool What He Offers in Brighton Win

Liverpool secured a 2-0 victory over Brighton in the Premier League at Anfield, with Hugo Ekitike scoring both goals, including the fastest of the season just 46 seconds in. The match marked Mohamed Salah's return to the squad after a public fallout with manager Arne Slot, providing a potential farewell before his Africa Cup of Nations departure.[1][2][4]

Salah, absent from the midweek Champions League win over Inter Milan as punishment for explosive comments criticizing the club and Slot, held talks with the manager on Friday. He entered as a 26th-minute substitute for the injured Joe Gomez, receiving a rapturous ovation from fans who chanted his name. Despite recent frustrations—dropped to the bench for three league games—Salah showed his class, delivering a corner for Ekitike's second goal in the 60th minute via a towering header. He nearly scored late but fired over.[1][2][3][4]

Ekitike's opener came from a quick break after Yankubah Minteh's poor clearance, pouncing on the loose ball for a rising shot. Brighton wasted chances, with Diego Gomez missing two sitters and surviving a VAR check for a high challenge on Florian Wirtz. Liverpool's defense held firm, extending their unbeaten run to five games across competitions as defending champions.[1][2][4]

At 33, with his contract expiring and January transfer window looming, Salah told his family to attend in case it was his last game. He applauded all stands post-match, lingering before the Kop as fans sang his praises. Slot affirmed no reason Salah shouldn't stay, but questions linger about his future amid tactical mismatches in Liverpool's 4-2-3-1 setup and the club's £100m signing of Alexander Isak as a long-term replacement.[3][4]

The performance silenced the "sideshow," highlighting Salah's enduring value as Liverpool climbed to sixth.[2][5] (Word count: 298)