Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has been reinstated into the matchday squad for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield following discussions with head coach Arne Slot.
The decision ends a short absence from the squad that followed a public expression of frustration by Salah after being left on the bench for several games — including a 3–3 draw at Leeds — during which he said he felt “thrown under the bus” by the club and that his relationship with Slot had broken down.
Slot had said he would speak privately with Salah on Friday before making a final call on his availability. After that conversation, the Dutch manager decided to bring the Egyptian international back into the squad for the Brighton match.
Salah Returns but Still on the Bench
Salah’s inclusion comes with some conditions — he has been named among the substitutes rather than in the starting lineup, and it remains uncertain how much game time he will receive.
This will likely be Salah’s final appearance for Liverpool before he departs to join the Egypt squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins later this month in Morocco.
While this short-term resolution has seen Salah return to action, reports suggest that tensions between player and manager have not completely disappeared and that club officials may continue working on the long-term relationship while he is away at AFCON.
A Short-Term Fix, Not a Full Resolution
From Slot’s perspective, the recall reflects a need for stability and squad harmony ahead of a demanding run of fixtures. Leaving a player of Salah’s stature completely out of the squad risked creating a prolonged distraction — one that could overshadow Liverpool’s on-field objectives.
However, the underlying issues remain unresolved. Salah’s situation at Liverpool means it’s still unclear if he will remain at the club for the rest of the season. Slot said he has “no reasons not wanting him to stay” at his pre-match press conference, but Saudi Pro League clubs are believed to be circling and are eager to bring the Egypt star to the Middle East.
