Mo Salah situation takes fresh turn ahead of Brighton as Liverpool rethink

Last Updated on 12 December 2025

For a week, the story around Mohamed Salah has felt less like a team selection dilemma and more like a standoff. Public comments, private conversations, and a notable absence in Milan all pointed towards a relationship at a crossroads.

In fact, Anfield was bracing itself for something resembling a farewell rather than a reunion ahead of Brighton’s visit on Saturday.

But football has a habit of moving quickly, especially when the stakes are high.

As Liverpool prepare to host Brighton, the situation around their most influential attacker has shifted once again.

Mohamed Salah set to be in the squad for Brighton after positive talks take place

Mohamed Salah has been recalled to Liverpool’s squad for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield. According to The Athletic, this comes after what positive discussions between the player and head coach Arne Slot.

The Egyptian forward had been left out of the squad for the midweek Champions League win away at Inter Milan.

It was a decision taken by Slot after Salah’s explosive post-match comments following last weekend’s game at Leeds United. Salah later claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” and suggested his relationship with the manager had broken down.

Speaking ahead of the Brighton game, Slot made clear that dialogue, not discipline, was the priority.

“I will have a conversation with Mo this morning and the outcome of that conversation determines how it will look tomorrow,” Slot said. “The next time I speak about Mo should be with him and not in here.”

What Salah’s return, and AFCON absence, really means for Liverpool

While Salah’s inclusion against Brighton brings temporary calm, it does not erase the wider questions hovering over Liverpool’s season.

Slot confirmed that the decision to leave Salah out in Milan was made collectively, involving sporting director Richard Hughes, but insisted that final squad selection remains solely his responsibility.

That distinction matters. It reinforces Slot’s authority at a moment when his handling of senior players is under close scrutiny.

Salah’s impending AFCON departure also changes the dynamic.

With the forward unavailable for several weeks, Slot will be afforded rare breathing space. Time to work with his reshaped squad, integrate new attacking profiles, and reduce the immediate dependency on his most productive player.

Whether this episode becomes a turning point or merely a pause in a longer story remains to be seen. But for now, Salah returns to Anfield and if he helps secure a win on Saturday before going to AFCON, it could be the spark needed to kickstart Liverpool’s campaign.