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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot played down any suggestion of lingering tension with Mohamed Salah after the Egyptian returned to action in Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League win over Brighton at Anfield, insisting there was “no issue to resolve” following the forward’s recent outburst.
Hugo Ekitike struck inside the opening minute, and Salah, who was introduced from the bench during the first half, went on to provide the assist for the Frenchman’s second goal after the interval. The victory marked Liverpool’s first home league win since early November and eased some of the pressure on Slot, lifting his side to sixth in the table.
Salah had been at the centre of controversy after publicly criticising the club last week, claiming he had been “thrown under the bus” when he was left out of the starting line-up for the 3-3 draw at Leeds. It was the third successive match in which the 33-year-old failed to start, and he also suggested he had no relationship with Slot when speaking to reporters after that game.
The winger was subsequently omitted from Liverpool’s Champions League trip to Inter Milan in midweek, which the Reds won 1-0, fuelling intense speculation ahead of the Brighton fixture. Slot had confirmed on Friday that he planned to speak with Salah, while also making clear he had no desire for the player to leave the club.
After the Brighton match, Slot said there was no lingering dispute between himself and Salah, stressing that he treats the forward like any other member of the squad. He explained that conversations with players are normal when issues arise but insisted there was nothing left to discuss following the Leeds incident.
Slot confirmed that Salah’s absence from the squad in Italy was linked to the interview but defended his handling of the situation, saying managerial decisions vary and that he had already addressed the matter privately with the player. He added that Salah’s swift return to the squad and impact off the bench demonstrated that actions mattered more than words.
The Liverpool boss pointed to Salah’s performance as proof that the situation had been handled correctly, noting that he brought the winger on at the first opportunity and was rewarded with a decisive contribution that pleased both the fans and the coaching staff.
Salah’s assist against Brighton took his Premier League tally for Liverpool to a record 277 goal involvements, made up of 188 goals and 89 assists, surpassing Wayne Rooney’s long-standing mark for Manchester United. Despite the milestone, Salah declined to speak to the media after the match, joking that he was unwilling to do so for a second consecutive week.
The forward will now depart to join Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, with the length of his absence dependent on how far his country progress in the tournament in Morocco, which concludes on January 18. Salah, who signed a new two-year deal in April and has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, had invited his family to Saturday’s match amid speculation about his future.
Slot dismissed suggestions that the Brighton game could have been Salah’s final appearance for Liverpool, explaining that many players had stayed behind to thank supporters and that it was not unusual. He added that while he hoped Salah would enjoy a successful AFCON, Liverpool would have to cope without him for the coming weeks amid a thin squad.
Salah remains third on Liverpool’s all-time scoring list with 250 goals and has won two Premier League titles and the Champions League during his time at the club. While he claimed the Golden Boot last season with 29 league goals as Liverpool secured a historic 20th title, he has found the net just four times in the league so far this campaign.
