Mohamed Salah returns to Liverpool’s squad with win over Brighton, manager Arne Slott insists it was not a difficult decision to recall his talisman
Liverpool manager Arne Slott insists it was an easy decision to bring Mohamed Salah back into the squad after the Egyptian’s win over Brighton. Salah was recalled to the bench after being left at home against Inter Milan in midweek.
This followed the Egyptian’s furious rant after he was left off as a substitute in last week’s game against Leeds at Elland Road. This means he has been on the bench for three consecutive games in the Premier League.
However, following transparent discussions between Salah and the manager, the Reds icon was named in the squad for the game against Brighton. And he was dispatched earlier than expected.
Joe Gomez was sent off with an injury in the 26th minute and Salah replaced him. He received an enthusiastic welcome from the Kop, who serenaded the 33-year-old as a hero.
read more: Mohamed Salah breaks Wayne Rooney’s record on return to Liverpool after angry rantread more: Mo Salah receives huge applause on return to Liverpool after fury
Salah played the rest of the match, assisting Hugo Ekitike, who scored both of the slot team’s goals. And the Dutchman said he had no doubts about whether to recall Salah.
“I think he was a threat,” Slott told Sky Sports. “The first ball he touched, he almost assisted Mac Allister. He was always involved in the fact that we had Mo. It was nice to see, but it wasn’t a surprise.”
“It was an easy decision to bring him into the team. As I have said many times before, what was discussed between us will remain between us. We needed him and it was great for us that he assisted us 2-0. “This season we have been on the wrong side of the set-piece battle many times.
“For him to go to AFCON means we’re going to lose another player. We knew this before the season started. Hopefully one or two players will come back from injury.”
Ekitike also praised his team-mate, leaving fans in no doubt as to how Liverpool’s dressing room views Salah after last week. “Mohamed is a great, great professional,” he told the BBC.
“I look at him as a role model. You can see how involved he is in the goals and the assists. He’s a legend here. It’s a blessing to share the pitch with him. He’s the kind of player we want to watch football in.”
Salah will now head to AFCON with Egypt. They play a friendly against Nigeria on Tuesday before starting their match against Zimbabwe on Monday.
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