Salah Returns with Assist as Liverpool Secure Victory Over Brighton
Arne Slot’s Liverpool side secured a crucial victory against Brighton & Hove Albion, with Mohamed Salah making a significant impact on his return to the squad. The Egyptian forward, featuring after a notable absence, provided an assist as Hugo Ekitike netted a brace, propelling the Reds to a 2-0 win at Anfield. This triumph not only extended Liverpool’s unbeaten streak to five matches but also marked their first home win since early November, climbing them to sixth place in the league standings.
The spotlight was firmly on Salah following his omission from Liverpool’s midweek Champions League fixture against Inter Milan, a decision that followed a widely reported and “extraordinary outburst” the previous weekend at Leeds United. Named on the substitutes’ bench by manager Slot, Salah was introduced in the 26th minute. His arrival was necessitated by an injury sustained by defender Joe Gomez, which prompted a tactical reshuffle, with Dominik Szoboszlai shifting to right-back.
Liverpool’s attacking intent was evident from the outset. Just 46 seconds into the match, Joe Gomez played a pivotal role in opening the scoring. His precise header found Hugo Ekitike, who, with a single touch, expertly volleyed the ball past Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. This clinical finish registered as the quickest Premier League goal of the current season, setting a high tempo for the encounter.
Brighton, however, demonstrated their own attacking capabilities and had opportunities to draw level. Alisson Becker, the Liverpool custodian, was forced into a crucial save, denying Diego Gomez with an outstretched leg as the Brighton attacker found himself through on goal. The visitors’ frustration was compounded after the interval when Gomez missed an open net, a glaring miss that would prove costly.
Liverpool capitalized on Brighton’s profligacy, extending their lead just before the hour mark. A well-placed corner from Mohamed Salah found an unmarked Ekitike at the far post, who duly headed home his second goal of the match. This strike brought Ekitike’s season tally to 10 goals and marked his second brace in as many league appearances, following his impressive performance in the 3-3 draw against Leeds.
Salah’s contribution extended beyond his mere presence. His assist for Ekitike’s second goal was particularly noteworthy, further etching his name in the Premier League record books. With this assist, Salah amassed 277 goal involvements in 302 Premier League appearances for Liverpool. This remarkable figure positions him as the player with the most goal involvements for a single club in the competition’s history, surpassing Wayne Rooney’s record of 276 for Manchester United.
Throughout the match, Salah was actively involved in several promising attacking sequences. Despite his influence, he missed a golden opportunity to add to his personal goal tally for Liverpool, which stands at 250. In injury time, after being set up by a well-timed pass from Federico Chiesa, Salah blazed his shot wide of the post, failing to convert a chance that could have further embellished his comeback performance.
Following the final whistle, Mohamed Salah acknowledged the Anfield faithful, applauding all four stands. The Egyptian forward is scheduled to depart for national team duty on Monday, preparing for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. His participation in the tournament could see him miss up to eight Liverpool fixtures, contingent on Egypt’s progression to the final in Morocco.
The uncertainty surrounding Salah’s long-term future at Liverpool continues to be a talking point. His recent comments at Elland Road, suggesting that his appearance there might have been a farewell game, have fueled speculation. Whether he will don the Liverpool jersey again after the tournament remains to be seen, adding a layer of intrigue to his current situation.
Despite the off-field narratives and the turbulent week, Liverpool have managed to secure back-to-back victories with clean sheets. This positive momentum stands in contrast to Brighton’s fortunes, as they drop to ninth place in the league table following this defeat. The win provides a welcome boost for Arne Slot’s side as they navigate the remainder of the season.