Mohamed Salah returns! Liverpool boss Arne Slot makes huge recall decision for Brighton clash - but Egyptian is only on the bench
Mohamed Salah has been named on the bench yet again by Liverpool manager Arne Slot for Saturday's Premier League game against Brighton at Anfield. The Egypt international has been recalled to the squad, after being left out against Inter in the Champions League in midweek following his critical comments, but has to make do with a place among the substitutes. Salah is back in the Liverpool squad for the first time since claiming he had been "thrown under the bus" by the Reds and that his relationship with Slot has broken down following the team's draw with Sunderland. The Egyptian's critical comments have thrown his future at the club into doubt and he was subsequently left out of the Champions League trip to San Siro. However, he is back in the squad for Saturday's match, although it remains to be seen if he will see any game time. Liverpool's fixture against Brighton is Salah's last before he is due to link up with Egypt's AFCON squad for the 2025 tournament.Slot had little to say when quizzed about his decision to recall Salah to the squad for the match. He told BBC Sport ahead of kick-off: "Like you said, he is back in the squad and on the bench today."The Liverpool boss also explained why big-money signing Alexander Isak was only on the bench: "Got a knock in both games. Games come quite fast and there is also not so much to choose from. Nice to have someone from the bench who can impact the game."Slot was also critical of his team's fixture list as the Reds return to Premier League action after a midweek Champions League trip to Inter, adding: "Quite proud because playing four games in 10 days - that is almost criminal for football players. Especially if you have only 13-14 outfield players that are available. We accept playing a lot of games, but four in 10 days. That is a lot to take for players."Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Mohamed Salah has been named on the bench yet again by Liverpool manager Arne Slot for Saturday's Premier League game against Brighton at Anfield. The Egypt international has been recalled to the squad, after being left out against Inter in the Champions League in midweek following his critical comments, but has to make do with a place among the substitutes. Salah is back in the Liverpool squad for the first time since claiming he had been "thrown under the bus" by the Reds and that his relationship with Slot has broken down following the team's draw with Sunderland. The Egyptian's critical comments have thrown his future at the club into doubt and he was subsequently left out of the Champions League trip to San Siro. However, he is back in the squad for Saturday's match, although it remains to be seen if he will see any game time. Liverpool's fixture against Brighton is Salah's last before he is due to link up with Egypt's AFCON squad for the 2025 tournament.Slot had little to say when quizzed about his decision to recall Salah to the squad for the match. He told BBC Sport ahead of kick-off: "Like you said, he is back in the squad and on the bench today."The Liverpool boss also explained why big-money signing Alexander Isak was only on the bench: "Got a knock in both games. Games come quite fast and there is also not so much to choose from. Nice to have someone from the bench who can impact the game."Slot was also critical of his team's fixture list as the Reds return to Premier League action after a midweek Champions League trip to Inter, adding: "Quite proud because playing four games in 10 days - that is almost criminal for football players. Especially if you have only 13-14 outfield players that are available. We accept playing a lot of games, but four in 10 days. That is a lot to take for players."Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Mohamed Salah's Return and Bench Role
After being left out of the squad against Inter in the Champions League, Mohamed Salah has been recalled by Liverpool manager Arne Slot for the game against Brighton. Despite his return, Salah finds himself on the bench, raising questions about his future at the club following recent comments about feeling 'thrown under the bus' by the Reds.
Arne Slot's Squad Decisions
Arne Slot provided little explanation for Salah's inclusion on the bench, simply stating that the Egyptian star is back in the squad. Slot also addressed the absence of big-money signing Alexander Isak from the starting lineup, citing a knock and the need for impactful bench options in a congested fixture schedule.
Fixture Woes and Player Fatigue
Slot expressed concerns over the demanding fixture list faced by Liverpool, with four games in 10 days taking a toll on the limited available outfield players. The manager emphasized the challenges of managing player fatigue and injuries in such a packed schedule, highlighting the strains faced by professional footballers.
Future Uncertainty for Mohamed Salah
Salah's return to the squad for the Brighton clash hints at a possible reconciliation with Arne Slot, but questions linger over the Egyptian's future at Liverpool. With the Africa Cup of Nations looming, Salah's involvement in the upcoming tournament adds another layer of complexity to his relationship with the club and his playing time.
Conclusion: Navigating Challenges and Squad Dynamics
As Mohamed Salah is named on the bench for the match against Brighton, Arne Slot faces the task of managing player relationships, squad rotation, and fixture congestion. The delicate balance between player fitness, team dynamics, and tactical decisions will shape Liverpool's performance in the upcoming matches, setting the stage for a crucial period in the season.
