Any uncertainty about how Liverpool’s match-going supporters would respond to Mo Salah’s return after his comments last weekend was emphatically answered just before 3:30pm on Saturday.
The Egyptian had been left out of the squad for Liverpool’s Champions League trip to Inter Milan earlier in the week, but he was reinstated for the Premier League clash against Brighton at Anfield. Although Salah was named on the bench for the fourth consecutive league game, events unfolded far sooner than anticipated.
Joe Gomez, who provided the assist for Hugo Ekitike’s goal inside the opening minute, was forced off injured after just 25 minutes. Salah was called upon as his replacement, with Dominik Szoboszlai dropping into the right-back role.
As Salah’s name echoed around Anfield, nearly 60,000 fans responded with a thunderous roar, offering clear and wholehearted support to Liverpool’s third-highest goalscorer of all time.
Despite attempts in some quarters to suggest a rift between Salah and head coach Arne Slot, the reaction from supporters has told a very different story. Following loud chants for Slot at the San Siro on Tuesday night, the winger was greeted with another huge reception when he entered the fray against Brighton, leaving no doubt about the fans’ feelings toward the 33-year-old.
Salah quickly made his presence felt, driving forward from the middle of the pitch and slipping a pass to Alexis Mac Allister. The Argentine looked to set up Ekitike, but the move was cut out, even though Salah himself could have opted to shoot.
Once again, Mo Salah proved he remains the Egyptian King in the eyes of Liverpool’s loyal supporters.
