Mohamed Salah Included in Liverpool Team for Brighton Clash Following Discussions with Arne Slot, Say Reports
Mohamed Salah is part of Liverpool's lineup for their Premier League home fixture against Brighton this Saturday, after discussions with head coach Arne Slot, as reported by various UK news outlets.
According to the BBC and Sky Sports, Slot took charge of the choice, emphasising that he prioritises the club's overall benefit in deciding whether to bring the player back.
The manager from the Netherlands mentioned he planned to chat with Salah on Friday morning, after the Egyptian forward's recent comments that cast uncertainty over his long-term role at Anfield and led to his exclusion from the team that journeyed to Italy for a Champions League victory against Inter Milan during the week.
Salah claimed Liverpool had unfairly criticised him publicly following his time on the substitutes' bench during last week's 3-3 result against Leeds, marking the third consecutive game where he failed to start.
He further stated that he shared no personal connection with Slot when addressing the media post-match at Elland Road.
Midweek saw Liverpool secure a 1-0 triumph at Inter Milan, as the 33-year-old Salah shared a social media image of himself working out solo in the gym at Liverpool's training facility.
"I'll discuss matters with Mo first thing today, and whatever we conclude will shape events for tomorrow," Slot explained during his pre-match briefing.
"Ideally, my next comments on Mo will happen directly with him, rather than here. You might persist in asking, but there's little else I can add right now.
"Post the Sunderland match, a 1-1 stalemate on December 3 where Salah entered as a halftime replacement, we held multiple talks involving his agents and our staff, plus direct exchanges between us."
Slot deflected additional media queries on the attacker, yet added: "I've every intention of him remaining, which somewhat addresses your point."
Salah, who penned a fresh two-year deal with Liverpool back in April to rank among the league's top earners, will link up with Egypt's national team for the Africa Cup of Nations immediately after the Anfield encounter with Brighton on Saturday.
His time away will vary based on Egypt's progress in the tournament held in Morocco, culminating in the final on January 18.
Positioned third on Liverpool's historical goal scorers list with 250 strikes across 420 outings, Salah has claimed two Premier League crowns and a Champions League success throughout his Merseyside tenure.
He netted 29 Premier League strikes in the prior campaign as Liverpool surged to their 20th domestic championship, though this term he has only four league goals from 13 outings.
Liverpool sit 10th in the standings amid a poor streak, managing just two victories in their last 10 top-flight matches.
Rumours persist of Salah potentially transferring to the prosperous Saudi Pro League.
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