Forward receives standing ovation in emotional appearance after week of public dispute with manager.
In an emotional moment at Anfield on Saturday, Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah made his return to action, entering as a first-half substitute to a loud standing ovation from the home crowd during the Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The appearance came after a turbulent week that had thrown the Egyptian star’s future at the club into serious doubt. Salah, 33, had launched a fiery public criticism of the club, accusing them of throwing him “under the bus” and declaring his relationship with manager Arne Slot had broken down. Those comments led to him being omitted from the squad for Tuesday’s Champions League win at Inter Milan.
The tension stemmed from Slot’s decision to leave last season’s league top scorer on the bench for three consecutive games, including last weekend’s 3-3 draw at Leeds United. In a passionate post-match interview after that game, Salah hinted this might be his farewell, telling reporters, “I said to my family, come to the Brighton game… I am going to enjoy it because I don’t know what is going to happen now.”
He added, “I will be in Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go to the Africa Cup of Nations. I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.”
His return on Saturday came sooner than expected, as he replaced the injured Joe Gomez in the 26th minute. The warm reception from fans suggested strong support remains for the prolific forward.
There appears to be a possible path to reconciliation. British media reported that Slot and Salah held positive talks on Friday, with the Dutch manager stating he had “no reasons to not want him to stay.”
Salah is scheduled to depart on Monday to join Egypt’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, leaving his club future unresolved but perhaps on more stable ground than it seemed just days ago.
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