A familiar scene at Anfield on Saturday subtly closed the door on a Liverpool narrative that risked dragging on longer than necessary.
Mohamed Salah was back in the matchday squad for the Brighton game after his highly publicised reaction following Leeds. Although he didn’t start, his impact spoke volumes.
Brought on early due to an injury, the Egyptian provided an assist for Hugo Ekitike and played a key role in a 2-0 victory that extended Liverpool’s unbeaten run to five matches in all competitions.
After the final whistle, Arne Slot addressed the situation, explaining why the timing of Salah’s return felt right.
“Actions say more than words,” Slot said, speaking via Empire of the Kop on YouTube.
“He was back in the squad and when I made my first substitution, I brought him on. He performed exactly how I — and the fans — want to see him perform.”
Why Slot’s approach mattered
From Liverpool’s standpoint, this was about management rather than discipline.
The 47-year-old made it clear there was no ongoing problem, stating: “There’s nothing to sort out. For me, he’s the same as every other player.”
That message was important with Salah set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations, ensuring the situation didn’t linger over the next few weeks.
Notably, Salah also made a point of acknowledging the Anfield crowd at full-time, heading straight to applaud the home supporters.
Slot was keen to highlight the collective effort, praising the team’s work rate in keeping a clean sheet while admitting Liverpool benefited from some good fortune at times.
Salah’s influence on the pitch
The statistics underline why Slot’s decision paid off.
Salah’s assist took his Premier League goal involvements for Liverpool to 277, surpassing Wayne Rooney’s record at a single club.
After coming on, he created five chances, had three shots, and repeatedly forced Brighton to adjust defensively.
Slot summed it up succinctly: “He was a threat — and that’s crucial.”
The episode ended with a light-hearted moment as Salah declined further media duties, joking when asked about another interview: “Two games in a row? No!”
In many ways, it felt like a clear line had been drawn. Salah played his part, acknowledged the fans, and now heads off to AFCON with the focus firmly back on football — a sign of smart management that could prove quietly significant.