Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has surpassed Wayne Rooney’s record for the most Premier League goal involvements at a single club. The forward provided the assist for Hugo Ekitike’s second strike against Brighton on Saturday as Arne Slot’s team secured a 2-0 victory at home.
Salah has dominated the headlines this past week following an explosive post-match interview after last weekend’s 3-3 draw at Leeds, where he declared he had been « thrown under the bus ». The Egyptian also revealed a deterioration in his relationship with Reds boss Slot.
The 33-year-old has found himself relegated to the substitutes’ bench in recent fixtures and was completely omitted from Liverpool‘s squad for their midweek trip to Inter Milan.
He made his return to the Reds’ matchday squad against Brighton this weekend following discussions with Slot.
Salah proved instrumental in Saturday’s win over the Seagulls after entering the fray as a replacement for defender Joe Gomez, who sustained a first-half knock.
He went on to register a Premier League record 277th goal involvement for Ekitike’s second-half strike as Slot’s charges claimed crucial three points at Anfield.
Salah’s tally of 188 goals and 89 assists for the Reds has enabled him to eclipse Wayne Rooney’s 276 for Manchester United (183 goals, 93 assists).
The forward will now depart for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, aiming to guide Egypt to its first AFCON triumph since 2010. Salah has suggested that the Brighton match could be his final appearance for Liverpool, as he is due to join his national team until potentially January, when the mid-season transfer window opens.
He said: « I called my mum and dad and told them to come to the Brighton game. It doesn’t matter if I play or not. I’m going to enjoy it.
« I am just going to be at Anfield and say goodbye to the fans before the Africa Cup of Nations, because I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there. »
Ex-Liverpool star Jamie Redknapp has also expressed uncertainty over Salah’s future on Merseyside. Speaking ahead of Saturday’s match, he asserted that there is « no way » Salah will remain if he isn’t playing regularly.
He said: « As good as Salah has been, everything comes to an end.
« It does feel that something has to give. There is no way that Mo Salah is going to be content to be a bit-part player.
« Whether it is in January or in the summer… I can only see that outcome.
« Once the trust is broken, especially with someone like Mo, who needs confidence and love from a manager… I feel it is going to come to a head. »
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