Hugo Ekitike may have scored Liverpool’s goals against Brighton, but it was Mo Salah who still took the headlines.
Ekitike netted his second consecutive Premier League brace, but Salah coming on in the first half and his post-match reaction to the Kop gave the press their main talking points.
The Egyptian has faced plenty of criticism over the last week, but the press were fair and gave Salah his dues for the attitude and performance on display against Brighton.
Here’s how the media reacted to Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Brighton and Salah’s return to the team.
Anfield won’t pick sides
Paul Gorst of the Liverpool Echo captured the mood inside Anfield as the crowd sang for player and manager:
“There will be no choosing of sides, it seems, when it comes to star player and title-winning coach and the hope now is that Friday’s clear-the-air talks between Salah and Slot go a long way towards repairing their relationship following the Egyptian’s incendiary interview at Leeds United a week ago…
“Given the turbulent nature of events off this pitch this week, it is fitting that the final word went to Salah, who was serenaded by the Kop at full time.
“It was no coincidence that the James hit ‘Sit Down’ – which inspired the famous terrace anthem in Salah’s honour – was played over the loudspeaker after the final whistle.”
The Guardian‘s Will Unwin also commented on the reaction inside the ground as Salah waved goodbye ahead of his trip to Morocco for AFCON:
“It ended with the Egyptian doing a one-man lap of honour at Anfield, an attempt to rebuild trust with the supporters after creating a ceasefire, if not a complete truce, with Arne Slot…
“Salah’s face is at the forefront of Anfield, featuring on banners and murals, one with a crown atop his head.
“In a region where royalty is often dismissed, only footballing heroes deserve to be crowned, but supporters do not like it when someone thinks they are more important than the collective.
“Many stopped to take selfies in front of Salah’s image, possibly worried that if things deteriorated it would only take a few spray paint cans for a new hero to emerge.
“The mascots were pleased to see Salah, exchanging high fives in the tunnel. He walked on to the pitch with Dominik Szoboszlai’s arm around his shoulder, before taking in the surroundings of his second home by standing alone on the edge of the penalty area. His family was in the stands.”
Mo Salah’s display was “graceful, humble”
Having come under fire for saying he believes he should be guaranteed a place in the team, the Times‘ Jonathan Northcroft thought Salah responded ‘gracefully’:
“If this was goodbye, it was graceful, humble. It was a riposte to the character attacks, an elegant muting of the noise…
“So there was no last goal — but, perhaps it was fitting, given it has always been an undervalued part of his game, that the final act was an assist, a team contribution.”
Felix Keith of the Mirror thinks that Salah is now unlikely to leave for Saudi Arabia in January:
“It doesn’t look like he will be heading for Saudi Arabia in January now. But this will be Salah’s final game for Liverpool for some time, as he heads off to the Africa Cup of Nations to play for Egypt.
“Slot has tried to find ways to play without him of late, using Szoboszlai in the advanced right position. But an injury scare here for the Hungary international perhaps showed they need to be wary of over-using him.”
Arne Slot shows “why the club are right to back him”
Finally, while Brighton were unfortunate not to score in the second half, it was still a good afternoon for Arne Slot whose team have now gone five matches unbeaten.
Journalist Henry Winter reserved his praise on X for the head coach:
“Slot again showing his ability as a head coach and why the club are right to back him, btw the reigning Manager of the Year. Salah situation has enhanced Slot’s position. He’s handled a difficult situation well.
“On the field, Slot got line-up, tactics and game management right against Inter Milan. Players and fans showed their belief in Slot at San Siro…
“Just need to maintain momentum and for Slot’s calm control to continue quietening the negative noise outside the club.”