In the 16th round of the Premier League, Liverpool defeated Brighton 2-0 at Anfield. After the match, Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, who had previously criticized Liverpool manager Arne Slot in an explosive interview, returned to the Reds' squad and came off the bench to provide an assist after Joe Gomez's injury.
When the final whistle blew sharply at Anfield, signaling the end of the game, Liverpool players began to leave the pitch one after another, with Salah being the last to step off. The Egyptian winger first paid a respectful tribute to the fans in all four stands of Anfield, expressing gratitude for their support. He then paused briefly, gently tapping the prominent club badge on his jersey as if engaging in a silent farewell ceremony with the club. Subsequently, he captured this memorable moment and posted it on his Instagram account before turning around and slowly disappearing into the darkness of the player tunnel.
Is this truly Salah's final farewell to Liverpool? Only time will tell. For now, however, it appears to be a temporary separation. Salah is set to embark on a journey to Morocco to join the Egyptian national team for the AFCON, which kicks off next week.
Since his fiery remarks following the match against Leeds United at Elland Road last week, Salah's future has been shrouded in uncertainty. He returned to the squad for Saturday's home game against Brighton after missing the midweek Champions League clash with Inter Milan due to a suspension. On Friday at the training ground, Salah held a positive conversation with manager Arne Slot, which paved the way for his return to the matchday squad.
While the two sides reached a temporary reconciliation after the talk, what lies ahead remains unknown. Salah publicly stated last week that his relationship with Slot has broken down, even hinting at a potential January exit from Liverpool, citing "there are people who don't want me at the club." Despite the seemingly harmonious atmosphere on the pitch this afternoon, the key issue is that Salah is unwilling to wait for opportunities on the bench, and Slot does not currently consider the 33-year-old Egyptian an indispensable part of the team's best starting lineup.
Over the next few weeks, negotiations between Salah's agent Ramy Abbas and Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes will continue. Salah's participation in the AFCON provides a much-needed breathing space for all parties. According to the schedule, Salah is not expected to return to the club until mid-January after concluding his AFCON campaign.
Looking back at Salah's recent performances, he has not started in the past five games. However, against Brighton, he came off the bench and delivered a brilliant assist to help the team score the second goal, securing a 2-0 victory for Liverpool. After the game, as Salah walked through the mixed zone, he smiled and declined reporters' interview requests, saying, "Two weeks in a row? No, no, no." Notably, he also exchanged words with his former teammate James Milner, who now plays for Brighton, off the pitch.
It is evident from the fans' attitude that they are eager for Salah to stay at Liverpool. Over the past eight years, Salah has fulfilled numerous fans' dreams with his outstanding performances, constantly breaking records at Anfield, winning countless trophies and individual honors. His display against Brighton further proved that he still has the ability to make significant contributions to Liverpool, especially in this difficult season. When Joe Gomez was forced off due to injury, Salah was introduced midway through the first half and immediately gave his all, using his pace and dribbling ability to trouble Brighton's defense.
