Mohamed Salah Returns: Liverpool vs Brighton Impact and What’s Next

 Mohamed Salah's Return: Liverpool vs Brighton Impact and Beyond.

Liverpool beat Brighton 2–0, with Salah assisting Hugo Ekitike’s second and breaking the Premier League record for most goal involvements for a single club.

Mohamed Salah returned to Liverpool's squad for the Premier League match against Brighton on December 13, 2025, at Anfield, entering as a substitute amid tensions with manager Arne Slot. He received a standing ovation from fans after recent benchings, including the 1-0 Champions League win over Inter Milan. This appearance held significance before the Africa Cup of Nations and potential January moves.

Salah's Match Involvement.

Salah came on after 26 minutes for the injured Joe Gomez, shifting Szoboszlai to right-back and nearly assisting Mac Allister immediately. Liverpool had scored early via Hugo Ekitike's record-fast Premier League goal of the season. His first-half energy created chances, highlighting his quick influence despite three straight non-starts.

Second-Half Contribution.

Salah's presence in the second half enhanced Liverpool's attack against a tough Brighton side, helping sustain pressure after the opener. He complemented forwards like Ekitike and Wirtz, stabilizing the line as the Reds, sitting 10th, pushed their title defense. This bolstered momentum in a fixture both teams approached off draws.

Arne Slot's Perspective.

Pre-match, Slot confirmed Salah's bench spot to BBC Sport, noting: "As you noted he is in the squad and on bench today," praising his substitute impact amid a congested schedule.He highlighted Salah's ability to "make a difference" while rotating due to injuries like Alexander Isak's. Slot voiced pride in resilience but frustration with fixture pile-up straining options.

Effects of Absences.

Liverpool stayed unbeaten without Salah starting recently, with wins like 1-0 at Inter and draws such as 3-3 at Leeds showing depth but exposing finishing gaps. Historically, they hold a 21-7-3 record in 31 games sans him.These spells tested adaptability under Slot.

Future Outlook.

With Afcon ahead and contract uncertainty, Slot affirmed no wish for Salah to depart. His return underscored his value alongside the squad's growing solutions. Liverpool's campaign balances this saga with title ambitions.