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Liverpool boss Arne Slot said it was an “easy decision” to include Mohamed Salah in his squad against Brighton and there was “no issue to resolve”.
The 33-year-old made his first Liverpool appearance since claiming he had been “thrown under the bus” by the club following last weekend’s 3-3 draw with Leeds.
“What’s been said between the two of us, I’ve said many times, for me that stays between us,” Slot told Sky Sports after the 2-0 victory over Albion.
“He was back in the squad and we needed him.”
The Egypt forward received warm applause from the home fans as he was substituted on in the 26th minute at Anfield, following an injury to defender Joe Gomez.
He then provided the assist for Hugo Ekitike’s second goal, a whipped corner into the box, and renditions of his chant followed from the home supporters.
Salah had chances to increase Liverpool’s lead – firing over the bar before overcooking a pass for Andy Robertson – before he did a lap of the pitch at full-time.
“He was a threat, the first ball he touched he almost gave an assist to [Alexis] Mac Allister,” said Slot.
“He was constantly involved, pleasing but also not a surprise because he’s done that many times.”
Uncertainty remains over his future at the club as Salah is due to head to the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) on Monday.
With the Saudi Pro League interested in Salah, it is possible a move away from Merseyside could happen during the January transfer window – while he is away – but Slot did not indicate what might happen next.
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‘No problems’ – but what next for Salah?
Salah did not travel to Italy for Liverpool’s 1-0 Champions League win over Inter Milan on Tuesday and speculation around his future continues, despite his appearance off the bench on Saturday.
Although Salah is expected to return to Anfield after the Africa Cup of Nations, Saudi clubs have been interested in him for some time and Liverpool rejected a £150m offer from Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023.
He still has 18 months left to run on the deal he signed in April.
Full-back Milos Kerkez said: “He came full of energy, he helped us a lot. Everyone knows what Mo does for the club, what he’s doing, so we’re really happy to have him here. I hope he goes on.
“He’s with everyone. He’s there, he’s supporting us. We’re close, nobody is having any problems. That’s important, it’s positive attitude. I don’t want to comment too much on what happened but we all love Mo, we all respect Mo and we’re happy to have him here.”
Salah is Liverpool’s third top goalscorer of all time with 250 strikes in 421 games – but he has not started for Liverpool in five consecutive games.
Last weekend, Salah said he had invited his family to come to the Brighton game, adding: “I will be in Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go to Africa Cup of Nations. I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.”
Earlier in the week, Slot said “I have no clue” if Salah had played his last game for the club.
But after positive talks during the week, Salah was named in the squad to face Brighton.
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687 Comments
Liverpool boss Arne Slot said it was an “easy decision” to include Mohamed Salah in his squad against Brighton and there was “no issue to resolve”.
The 33-year-old made his first Liverpool appearance since claiming he had been “thrown under the bus” by the club following last weekend’s 3-3 draw with Leeds.
“What’s been said between the two of us, I’ve said many times, for me that stays between us,” Slot told Sky Sports after the 2-0 victory over Albion.
“He was back in the squad and we needed him.”
The Egypt forward received warm applause from the home fans as he was substituted on in the 26th minute at Anfield, following an injury to defender Joe Gomez.
He then provided the assist for Hugo Ekitike’s second goal, a whipped corner into the box, and renditions of his chant followed from the home supporters.
Salah had chances to increase Liverpool’s lead – firing over the bar before overcooking a pass for Andy Robertson – before he did a lap of the pitch at full-time.
“He was a threat, the first ball he touched he almost gave an assist to [Alexis] Mac Allister,” said Slot.
“He was constantly involved, pleasing but also not a surprise because he’s done that many times.”
Uncertainty remains over his future at the club as Salah is due to head to the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) on Monday.
With the Saudi Pro League interested in Salah, it is possible a move away from Merseyside could happen during the January transfer window – while he is away – but Slot did not indicate what might happen next.
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To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
‘No problems’ – but what next for Salah?
Salah did not travel to Italy for Liverpool’s 1-0 Champions League win over Inter Milan on Tuesday and speculation around his future continues, despite his appearance off the bench on Saturday.
Although Salah is expected to return to Anfield after the Africa Cup of Nations, Saudi clubs have been interested in him for some time and Liverpool rejected a £150m offer from Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023.
He still has 18 months left to run on the deal he signed in April.
Full-back Milos Kerkez said: “He came full of energy, he helped us a lot. Everyone knows what Mo does for the club, what he’s doing, so we’re really happy to have him here. I hope he goes on.
“He’s with everyone. He’s there, he’s supporting us. We’re close, nobody is having any problems. That’s important, it’s positive attitude. I don’t want to comment too much on what happened but we all love Mo, we all respect Mo and we’re happy to have him here.”
Salah is Liverpool’s third top goalscorer of all time with 250 strikes in 421 games – but he has not started for Liverpool in five consecutive games.
Last weekend, Salah said he had invited his family to come to the Brighton game, adding: “I will be in Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go to Africa Cup of Nations. I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.”
Earlier in the week, Slot said “I have no clue” if Salah had played his last game for the club.
But after positive talks during the week, Salah was named in the squad to face Brighton.
Last week’s Strictly Come Dancing result was certainly a shocker as Emmerdale’s Lewis Cope was booted out of the competition after facing West End star Amber Davies in the bottom two, despite both of them being at the top of the leaderboard.
Joining Amber in the bid to make it to the all-important final are EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, who has set a record after surviving five dance-offs to make it this far, as well as Lioness Karen Carney, and social media star George Clarke, along with their professional partners. Much has been made of the surprising elimination, and at this point, it really could go either way.
This week will be an intense one as each couple will have to showcase two separate routines to impress judges Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas. Viewers will also be treated to performances from pop legend Kylie Minogue and 1990s legends Five, but it really is all to play for in the ballroom, so keep dancing!
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George scores 39 after sizzling Samba
The YouTube star had the judges in stitches as he entertained the nation with his sparkly red outfit, and viewers at home were quick to praise him as well. One wrote on X: “Touch of the Elvis reaction to those hips I think George made a real impression his partner & he are so suited Could be in the final!” and another said: “Okay George, I was not expecting that!”
(BBC)
Craig – 8
Motsi – 9
Shirley – 9
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Karen scores 39!
Craig – 9
Motsi – 10
Shirley – 10
KEY EVENT
Karen Carney breaks down in tears as she ‘crumbles’ mid-performance
It was an emotional one for Lioness Karen as she and Carlos Gu after they did their Waltz to Whitney Houston’s One Moment In Time, and she became overwhelmed mid-performance. She said: “I just love this guy, I looked into him and I crumbled. And then I saw him go mid-dance.”
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Amber scores a 37!
Amber and Nikita’s first dance this week was a Tango to Michael Buble’s Higher. Teasing her upcoming Couple’s Choice, she said: “It’s got everything in it!”
Craig – 9
Motsi – 10
Shirley – 9
Anton – 9
(BBC )
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Balvinder scores 35!
Craig – 8
Motsi – 9
Shirley – 9
KEY EVENT
Julian’s in tears after Balvinder dance
Balvinder and Julian opened the show with a Salsa, and the EastEnders star’s professional partner was in tears after he told Claudia Winkleman that his mum had flown from Australia just to support him for the night. Struggling to control his emotions, he said: “My mum flew all the way from Australia to surprise me, just to come watch the final. She’s going back on Monday, back to work, and I’ve all I’ve ever wanted…sorry…all I’ve ever wanted to do is make my family proud.”
Julian Callion was in tears after his dance with Balvinder (BBC)
KEY EVENT
Balvinder’s emotional admission
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Tess and Claudia wow with stunning outfits
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman left Strictly Come Dancing fans speechless with their look. The presenting duo, who are no strangers when it comes to dazzling fans, looked sensational as they posed together for the live semi-final. Read more here.
(BBC)
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Tess Daly left ‘worried’ about future after Strictly exit
KEY EVENT
Fans feeling ‘anxious’ before the show even starts
KEY EVENT
Amber Davies defended by co-star ahead of final
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Fans issue plea for Balvinder
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Last week’s shock elimination
Last week certainly was a shocker as top dancer Lewis Cope was kicked out of the competition after a tense dance-off against Amber Davies. Reflecting on his journey, he shared with presenter Tess Daly: “It’s been more than I could have ever wished for!” Read more here.
Lewis Cope’s Strictly journey came to an end last Saturday (BBC)
Mohamed Salah set up a goal in Liverpool’s 2-0 win against Brighton as he returned to action after an explosive outburst cast doubt over his future at the Premier League champions.
The Egypt forward, the subject of intense scrutiny in the build-up to the game at Anfield, came off the substitutes’ bench to huge cheers in the 26th minute on Saturday, replacing injured defender Joe Gomez.
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The home team, whose title defence has collapsed after a shocking run of results, were leading 1-0 at the time, with France forward Hugo Ekitike on the scoresheet after just 46 seconds.
Brighton squandered a number of opportunities to level, and Ekitike scored again with half an hour to go to give Liverpool breathing space.
Salah accused Liverpool of throwing him “under the bus” after he was left on the bench for last week’s 3-3 draw at Leeds – the third match in a row that he had been named among the replacements.
He also said that he had no relationship with manager Arne Slot.
Salah was omitted from the midweek Champions League trip to Inter Milan, which Liverpool won 1-0, posting a picture on social media of himself alone in the gym.
Slot said at Friday’s pre-match news conference that he would speak to the forward later in the day, adding, “I have no reasons [in] not wanting him to stay.”
Salah not made to wait long for substitute role to delight of Liverpool faithful
There was feverish speculation in the build-up to Saturday’s match about what role Salah would play, with the winger named on the bench.
Liverpool, who had won just two of 10 Premier League matches before the Brighton game, made a lightning start, taking the lead in the first minute when Joe Gomez set up Ekitike, who thumped the ball past Bart Verbruggen.
Salah entered the fray about 20 minutes before half-time when Gomez was withdrawn.
Brighton’s Diego Gomez squandered a good chance to level early in the second half, striking the ball against the outside of a post, and Brajan Gruda also went close as the home crowd chanted Salah’s name.
Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool heads the ball to score his team’s second goal [Carl Recine/Getty Images]
Liverpool doubled their lead in the 60th minute when Ekitike scored his second, nodding home Salah’s corner.
Salah himself went close in stoppage time after he was set up by Federico Chiesa, but he blazed over.
The win lifts Slot’s men to sixth in the table ahead of the later kickoffs on Saturday, easing the pressure on the beleaguered manager.
Salah departure from Liverpool for AFCON or for good?
Salah, who signed a new two-year contract at Liverpool in April, is about to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The length of his absence depends on how far Egypt go in the competition in Morocco, with the final taking place on January 18.
The forward, who has been linked with a move to the lucrative Saudi Pro League, had invited his family to the Brighton game as speculation swirled over his future.
“I will be in Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go to the Africa Cup,” he told reporters last week. “I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.”
Salah, third in Liverpool’s all-time scoring charts with 250 goals, has won two Premier League titles and one Champions League crown during his spell on Merseyside.
Tries: Kolisi, Fassi, Van der Merwe, Williams Cons: Whitehead 4
Saracens (15) 23
Saracens’ ill-discipline proved costly as they fell to a 28-23 Investec Champions Cup defeat by the Sharks in torrential rain in Durban.
The Prem side were set to take a hard-earned lead into the half-time break but a late tackle by Saracens captain Andy Onyeama-Christie gave the ball back to the Sharks.
The South African side punished Saracens by powering up the field and freeing up Edwill van der Merwe to go over in the corner for a 21-15 lead.
With Saracens trailing by just three points midway through the second half, hooker Theo Dan was shown a yellow card for a high tackle.
Almost immediately the home side extended their lead to 28-18 when Springbok scrum-half Grant Williams sprinted past Saracens’ stretched defence.
With supreme effort, Saracens cut the gap to five points through Tom Willis’ try and piled on further pressure, but the Sharks held on to secure their first win in Pool Three in JP Pietersen’s first game since taking over as head coach.
After South Africa captain Siya Kolisi gave his team an early lead, it looked ominous for a Saracens side showing 10 changes from their opening win over Clermont Auvergne.
Saracens responded well with a try through livewire Dan, which was confirmed when referee Luc Ramos ruled out a possible obstruction in the maul by Harry Wilson.
Mark McCall’s side took the lead when Sam Spink touched down unopposed after Aphelele Fassi failed to gather a wet ball on the slide from Elliot Daly’s cute kick through.
Fergus Burke kicked a penalty to extend Saracens’ lead to 15-7, but Fassi’s try cut the visitors’ advantage before Onyeama-Christie’s late hit on Williams changed the momentum of the match.
Another Burke penalty brought Sarries within range but their task got harder when Dan was sent to the sin-bin for a shoulder-to-head tackle on Makazole Mapimpi.
Ethan Hooker made the crucial break to give Williams the opportunity to sprint over for the home side’s fourth try.
Despite being a man down, Saracens muscled their way into the corner and the impressive Willis battled through the mass of bodies to touch down and set up a tense final 15 minutes, but it was not to be as the hosts won for just the second time this season.
What’s next?
Saracens host six-time winners Toulouse in the third round of pool matches on Sunday, 11 January, after the Sharks take on Sale on Saturday, 10 January.
Sarries return to Prem action next Saturday when they welcome Exeter to StoneX Stadium.
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Line-ups
Sharks: Fassi; Van der Merwe, Hooker, Esterhuizen (capt), Mapimpi; Whitehead, Williams; Ganyane, Mbonambi, Jacobs, Jenkins, Van Heerden, Kolisi, Tshituka, Buthelezi.
