Salah returns, delivers assist and lifts Anfield before Africa Cup departure

He had been left out of the squad for the Inter match, but Arne Slot named Salah in the group for Saturday’s game against Brighton, ultimately giving him more than an hour of action. It was almost forced. Joe Gomez went off injured before the 30-minute mark, triggering a reshuffle that pushed Szoboszlai to right back and opened a spot for Salah.

After meeting with Slot on Friday to clear the air following the comments Salah made last week, the Egyptian was reinstated for the weekend. British outlets maintain the situation is far from settled, but Anfield celebrated the return of one of its icons — and the fact that he was decisive again in a Liverpool win.

When Salah stepped onto the pitch in the 26th minute, Liverpool were already ahead. Ekitiké had scored the Premier League’s fastest goal of the season after Brighton failed to clear a loose ball that Gomez headed into the French striker’s path. Ekitiké took a touch and finished. A dream start. A relief for Slot. And a calming early lead that Liverpool controlled, even if Brighton pushed back with chances during the opening quarter-hour. Once Salah entered, Liverpool generated a flurry of opportunities that didn’t quite land.

Five minutes into the second half, Ekitiké nearly doubled the lead with a low shot that whisked past the post. Moments later, Brighton almost equalized, but the woodwork denied an effort from their own Gomez. Liverpool closed the door for good around the hour mark — and Salah delivered the moment. He curled in a corner, Ekitiké rose above everyone, and powered home his second header of the afternoon.

Africa Cup of Nations… and what comes next?

Liverpool could have added more. Brighton threw bodies forward late in desperation, leaving acres of space for Liverpool’s counters. In the second minute of stoppage time, Chiesa broke free and squared the ball for Salah, who struck it well but sent it over the bar.

It would have been the perfect send-off before he departs for the Africa Cup of Nations — and possibly before he departs Liverpool for good. But Saturday felt like a reprieve, and Anfield embraced it. They also embraced something else they hadn’t seen in six weeks: a home win.

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