Was Salah's return the beginning of the end at Liverpool or start of an apology? | Will Unwin

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At times that felt a real possibility, but he was still in red after the air was somewhat cleared on Friday by talks between Salah and Slot.Salah’s face is at the forefront of Anfield, featuring on banners and murals, one with a crown atop his head. His family was in the stands.Arne Slot allowed his set-piece coach Aaron Briggs to give Mohamed Salah instructions when he came on.

Salah’s face was stern, and an opener after 46 seconds from Hugo Ekitiké must have made him question if he would be required. It was not a raucous introduction, but he was more than warmly applauded when his name was announced, followed by a chorus of ‘Mo Salah running down the wing’.

That song immediately came to life and Salah could have had an assist within seconds.He brought his own high-tempo brand of energy, desperate to prove a point to his manager and using his anger to fuel his performance. Salah was left on the ground, exhausted from a week that will provide a lengthy chapter in his Liverpool career.Being at the centre of a storm is draining and Salah has felt the full effect.