Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is set to be included in the squad for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Brighton following direct talks with manager Arne Slot, according to multiple British media reports.
The decision comes after a week of intense speculation over Salah’s future at Anfield. The 33-year-old was left out of Liverpool’s midweek Champions League trip to Inter Milan following a public outburst last weekend, which cast doubt over his standing at the club.
Slot confirmed he held a private meeting with Salah on Friday morning, telling reporters: “I will have a conversation with Mo this morning—the outcome of that conversation determines how things will look tomorrow.” He declined to elaborate further, adding, “I think the next time I speak about Mo should be with him and not in here.”
Both the BBC and Sky Sports reported that Slot insisted on having the final say regarding Salah’s recall, with the Dutch coach emphasizing he wanted to “act in the best interests of the club.” When pressed on whether he wants Salah to stay, Slot responded: “I have no reasons not wanting him to stay, and that is a little bit of an answer to your question.”
Tensions had been simmering since Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland on December 3, when Salah was used as a substitute. “After the Sunderland game there were a lot of conversations between his representatives and ours, between him and me,” Slot revealed.
Salah’s potential return offers a glimmer of positivity for a Liverpool side stuck in a concerning run of form. The Reds sit 10th in the Premier League, with only two wins in their last ten domestic matches. The Egyptian, who has scored just four league goals this season, remains a vital asset. He is third in Liverpool’s all-time scoring charts with 250 goals and was instrumental in last season’s title win, netting 29 times in the league.
However, his immediate future with Liverpool will once again be interrupted after the Brighton match. Salah is scheduled to join the Egypt national team for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. His length of absence will depend on Egypt’s progress, with the tournament final set for January 18.
Off the pitch, Salah has been consistently linked with a big-money move to the Saudi Pro League, adding another layer of uncertainty to his long-term status at the club. For now, though, it appears Salah and Slot have found a path forward—at least until the January window opens.
