Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has welcomed Mohamed Salah back into the squad ahead of the Premier League clash against Brighton, amid reports that tensions between the Egyptian superstar and the club have eased—at least for now.
According to several authoritative sources, Salah has rejoined the Liverpool team and is available for Saturday’s 3 p.m. kickoff against Brighton. However, one insider admitted that underlying issues between the player and the club have not been fully resolved.
Salah’s return follows an emotional outburst after Liverpool’s dramatic 3–3 draw with Leeds United last weekend. The incident occurred after the winger was named on the bench for the third consecutive match. Following the game, Salah held a face-to-face meeting with head coach Arne Slot, during which he reportedly expressed feelings of being “abandoned” by the club.
The situation escalated when Salah hinted that certain figures within the club wanted him to leave. As a result of his reaction, he was left out of the squad that traveled to Milan for Tuesday’s Champions League match against Inter.
Despite the tension, Slot has remained open to repairing the relationship. Multiple sources now confirm that Salah has returned to the first-team setup and is expected to be involved against Brighton.
It is understood that Virgil van Dijk played a “key role” in mediating peace talks between Salah and Slot. Paul Joyce of The Times reported that these discussions have “softened the standoff,” allowing Salah to reintegrate with the squad ahead of the weekend fixture.
That said, insiders stress that the problems have not completely disappeared. After the Brighton match, Salah is set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations, during which time Liverpool’s hierarchy will continue to address the situation.
Salah’s return is seen as being in the club’s best interests, particularly given Liverpool’s current injury concerns. However, there is no guarantee he will feature prominently. In the last three matches in which he was selected, Salah has played a combined total of just 45 minutes.
Liverpool secured a win at the San Siro without Salah on Tuesday night, meaning Slot may be reluctant to alter a winning formula.
Meanwhile, speculation continues over Salah’s long-term future at Anfield. Former players Dietmar Hamann and Alan Shearer have both suggested this week that the winger may already have played his final match for Liverpool. Hamann claimed Salah has been underperforming for “10 or 11 months,” while Shearer argued that Salah would not apologize—despite indications that an apology may already have been made.
Whether Salah remains at Liverpool should become clearer in the coming weeks. His participation in the Africa Cup of Nations could mean that, if a departure is on the cards, a summer transfer is more likely than an immediate exit.
As things stand, the Brighton match could potentially mark Mohamed Salah’s final appearance in a Liverpool shirt.
