Salah Returns to Liverpool Squad After Talks With Slot Ahead of Brighton Clash

Mohamed Salah is set to be available for Liverpool’s Premier League game against Brighton on Saturday after holding discussions with head coach Arne Slot, according to reports in the British media.

The Egyptian forward was included in the matchday squad following internal talks aimed at easing tensions that erupted after his public comments last weekend. Both the BBC and Sky Sports reported that the decision followed Slot’s insistence that any resolution would be guided by what best serves the club.

Salah had been dropped for Liverpool’s Champions League trip to Inter Milan in midweek after openly criticising the club and coaching staff following a 3–3 draw with Leeds, where he was benched for the third consecutive league game. His remarks, which suggested a breakdown in his relationship with Slot, triggered fresh uncertainty around his future at Anfield.

Tension, Talks, and a Tentative Reset

Speaking before the Brighton fixture, Slot confirmed he had planned a private meeting with the forward to address the situation directly, avoiding further public commentary. The conversation appears to have paved the way for Salah’s return to the squad, though it remains unclear whether he will start.

Liverpool’s midweek win in Milan came without Salah, who instead posted an image of himself training alone at the club’s facilities, a move that intensified speculation about a possible fallout.

Despite the recent turbulence, Slot later indicated he had no desire to see Salah leave the club, stressing that ongoing dialogue between the player, his representatives, and the club had continued since early December.

Also read: Salah’s Future Hangs In The Balance As Liverpool Prepare For Brighton Test

Salah, who signed a two-year contract extension in April that placed him among the Premier League’s top earners, is expected to join Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations squad after the Brighton match. His availability to Liverpool in the coming weeks will depend on how far Egypt progress in the tournament, which concludes on January 18 in Morocco.

Form Questions Amid Transfer Speculation

The 33-year-old remains one of Liverpool’s most decorated players, sitting third on the club’s all-time scorers list with 250 goals in 420 appearances. However, his form this season has dipped, with just four league goals in 13 matches.

Liverpool enter the weekend sitting 10th in the table after a difficult run that has yielded only two wins from their last 10 league games.

Meanwhile, speculation linking Salah with a high-profile move to the Saudi Pro League continues to swirl, adding another layer of intrigue as Liverpool attempt to steady their season.