The Egyptian forward, who had been at the center of intense media attention leading up to the match, entered the game as a substitute in the 26th minute, replacing the injured Joe Gomez. Salah’s appearance was met with resounding cheers from the Anfield crowd.

Liverpool, who had been struggling in their title defense, were leading 1-0 at the time, thanks to a goal from French forward Hugo Ekitike after just 46 seconds. Brighton, who failed to capitalize on several key opportunities, found themselves two goals down when Ekitike netted his second in the 60th minute, heading in a pinpoint corner from Salah.

With the assist, Salah, now 33, made history, setting a new Premier League record for goal involvements with 277, 188 goals and 89 assists. He surpassed Wayne Rooney’s long-standing record of 276 for Manchester United.

Ekitike, speaking after the match, praised Salah’s professionalism, calling him a “legend” and an inspiration. “Mohamed is a great, great professional,” Ekitike said. “He’s involved in so many goals and assists. To share the pitch with him is a blessing.”

Saturday’s match also marked a dramatic shift in Salah’s mood. Just a week earlier, he had publicly criticized Liverpool for leaving him on the bench during the 3-3 draw at Leeds his third consecutive appearance as a substitute. In a fiery statement, Salah also claimed he had no relationship with manager Arne Slot. His omission from the midweek Champions League victory against Inter Milan further fueled speculation about his future, with rumors circulating of a potential move to Saudi Arabia.

However, Slot hinted before the Brighton match that he would address the situation with Salah, adding to the intrigue surrounding the star forward’s role. The win against Brighton provided much-needed relief for the beleaguered coach, lifting Liverpool to sixth in the Premier League table.

The game started with a bang when Joe Gomez assisted Ekitike for the opening goal in the first minute, sending a powerful strike past Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. Brighton had their chances, with Diego Gomez and Brajan Gruda both missing good opportunities, but Liverpool held firm.

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SALAH ‘DESTROYING HIS LEGACY’ AT LIVERPOOL, ROONEY WARNS

Ekitike’s header in the 60th minute doubled Liverpool’s advantage, with Salah playing a pivotal role in the goal. Salah himself nearly added a goal in stoppage time, but his effort sailed over the bar after being set up by Federico Chiesa.

After the final whistle, Salah was warmly embraced by his teammates and applauded by the home fans, signaling a positive resolution to the tension that had surrounded his recent comments.

The victory, Liverpool’s first at Anfield since November 4, was crucial for Slot, easing some of the pressure on his position. Salah, who signed a two-year contract extension in April, will soon depart for the Africa Cup of Nations, with Egypt’s campaign set to begin in Morocco. His return date will depend on how far Egypt advances in the tournament, with the final scheduled for January 18.

Salah’s future remains a hot topic. Despite speculation linking him with a move to the lucrative Saudi Pro League, he invited his family to the Brighton game as a show of solidarity, amid swirling rumors about his next move. “I will be at Anfield to say goodbye to the fans before I head to the Africa Cup of Nations,” he said last week. “I don’t know what will happen after that.”

With 250 goals for Liverpool, Salah is now third on the club’s all-time scoring list. Over the course of his illustrious career at Anfield, he has won two Premier League titles and one Champions League trophy. Despite his current dip in form, with just four league goals this season, Salah remains one of the club’s most influential figures.

Source: Channels

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In an interview, former Liverpool defender Andy Robertson admitted he had been “in bits” before Scotland’s dramatic victory over Denmark secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup. Speaking National Television, Slot acknowledged the emotional toll the tragedy has had on everyone connected with the club.

“I saw the interview with Robertson live, and I know this is an issue for us,” Slot said. “It’s completely normal. But at this moment, I always think about how it must feel for Jota’s wife and children. It’s so much harder for them than it is for us. Of course, we miss the player, but we also miss the person.”

Jota’s passing has come at a challenging time for Liverpool. The Reds have struggled in recent weeks, losing four of their last five Premier League matches, including a heavy 3-0 defeat to Manchester City before the international break. That loss left Liverpool in eighth place, eight points behind leaders Arsenal, as they prepare to face Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday.

Read Also: Liverpool Extend Premier League Lead with 2-1 Win Over Everton

Looking ahead to the Forest match, Slot reflected on Jota’s impact in last season’s corresponding fixture. “When we played Forest away last season, we were 1-0 down, and it took Jota just 22 seconds to score the equalizer after coming on as a substitute,” he recalled. “So, yes, we miss him as a player and as a person. His absence is felt deeply.”

Slot confirmed that goalkeeper Alisson Becker is available to return after a six-week layoff due to a hamstring injury. However, full-back Conor Bradley and midfielder Florian Wirtz will miss Saturday’s game due to unspecified injuries.

Source: Punch

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Isak joined Liverpool from Newcastle in September for a British-record £125 million, $164 million, has been sidelined since suffering a groin injury in the Champions League victory over Frankfurt last month. The 26-year-old Swedish international has featured in just eight matches for Liverpool, with no Premier League goals to his name so far.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Slot confirmed Isak’s return to team training after a three-week absence. “He will train for the first time today with the team again after being out for three weeks,” Slot said. “I know I mentioned a few weeks ago that his pre-season was finished, but I have to amend that. A three-week rehab stint doesn’t return you to the level you were at before. So, patience will be key.”

Read Also: Arne Slot and Virgil Van Dijk Respond to Liverpool’s Premier League Defeat

Despite Isak’s impressive start to his Liverpool career, his rehabilitation will require time before he’s fully match-fit. “Rehabilitation isn’t the same as actual gameplay or full team training,” Slot explained. “Even if we replicate match situations, it’s not the same. He needs time to get back to his best.”

While Isak’s return is a positive step, Slot also confirmed that goalkeeper Alisson Becker is expected to be available again after the upcoming international break, which follows Sunday’s crucial fixture against Manchester City.

Both Liverpool and City are chasing Arsenal, who currently lead the Premier League by six points. The Reds are in third place, just one point behind Guardiola’s men, after securing a much-needed 3-1 victory over Aston Villa last week to break a four-match league losing streak. Liverpool then followed up with an impressive 2-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Ahead of this weekend’s game, Slot was asked whether the match against City was a “must-win” for both sides, given Arsenal’s commanding position at the top. However, the Dutch manager downplayed the importance of the result, instead focusing on consistency and improvement.

“We’ve won two games in a row (against Villa and Real Madrid), so our main objective right now is consistency,” Slot said. “We need to get our players fit, build on our recent performances, and take it one step at a time.”

Slot also expressed excitement about facing off against Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium. He praised City’s tactical consistency, noting that unlike some teams this season, Guardiola’s side offers a predictable and entertaining brand of football.

Source: Channels

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He also pointed out that the demanding schedule, particularly the high number of away games, hasn’t helped the team’s cause. “It’s not an excuse, but the constant travel has taken its toll,” Slot added.

Van Dijk emphasized personal accountability and the need for collective effort to turn things around. “Everyone, myself included, needs to look in the mirror,” he said. “I’m confident we’ll get through this, but it won’t happen just by talking about it. We need to show improvement on the field. The fans who celebrated with us last season should continue to support us now, through these tough times.”

Read Also: Liverpool Extend Premier League Lead with 2-1 Win Over Everton

Liverpool’s latest setback came on Saturday, when they were defeated 3-2 by Brentford, marking their fourth consecutive loss in the Premier League. Despite the defeat, both Slot and Van Dijk remain optimistic that the team can regain their form.

Next up for Liverpool is a crucial EFL Cup fourth-round clash against Crystal Palace at Anfield on Wednesday, where they will look to bounce back from their recent struggles.

Source: Punch

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Goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike in a dominant first half gave the defending champions a comfortable lead. However, Liverpool faded after the break, allowing Everton’s Idrissa Gana Gueye to pull one back and set up a nervy finish.

Everton, who had relied on late goals in previous matches, struggled to break their winless run at Anfield in the Premier League era. Manager Arne Slot left new signings Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak on the bench, while Liverpool benefitted from the return of Alexis MacAllister in midfield alongside Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai.

Read Also: Third Footballer Murdered In Ecuador In September

Gravenberch opened the scoring with a well-placed finish from Mohamed Salah’s cross, and Ekitike doubled the lead following a slick team move. Despite pressure in the second half, Liverpool held on as Everton pushed forward, with Grealish’s assist enabling Gueye’s goal.

Slot introduced Wirtz and Isak to turn the game, but Liverpool’s resilience prevailed. The result extended Everton boss David Moyes’ unwanted record of failing to win in 23 trips to Anfield—the longest such streak by any Premier League manager.

Source: Channels

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The Reds have already signed Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez to build from a position of strength after romping to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title last season.

However, the departure of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen had left Slot with just three centre-backs to choose from.

Despite Leoni’s arrival, Liverpool could add more centre-back cover before the end of the transfer window with reports linking them with a move for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.

Recall that Liverpool have not won back-to-back league titles since 1984, and Slot expects it to be an even tougher challenge to defend their crown, given the turnover in his squad.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Caoimhin Kelleher have also departed, while the club is still coming to terms with the tragic loss of Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash last month.

The fee to bring Wirtz to England from Leverkusen could rise to a British transfer record £116 million.

Slot, though, believes the German international has the mentality to cope with the pressure of that price tag.

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The fatal crash occurred on the A-52 motorway, at kilometre 65, near the municipality of Palacios de Sanabria in the province of Zamora.

Jota, born in 1996, was a key figure for both Liverpool FC and the Portuguese national team. The news of his sudden passing has sent shockwaves through the footballing world and beyond.

The Spanish sports newspaper MARCA reported the incident on Thursday, confirming that Jota died at the scene of the accident.

“Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota dies in a traffic accident in the province of Zamora,” the outlet wrote in a brief statement, mourning the loss of the talented player.

Jota was widely regarded for his tenacity, goal-scoring instinct, and versatility on the pitch.

Further details surrounding the crash and funeral arrangements are yet to be announced as of press time.

Source: Punch

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According to report, the potential total could eclipse the British record set by Chelsea’s £107 million purchase of Enzo Fernandez in 2023, provided Liverpool sustain elite-level success.

The fee includes a guaranteed £100m and a further £16m in add-ons.

Those bonus payments would become payable if the Reds achieve a sustained level of success at the elite level, and would only then become a British record.

The British record for an initial fee remains Chelsea’s £107m signing of Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in 2023.

Wirtz who made his debut for Leverkusen at the age of 17, scored 57 goals in 197 games for the club after helping them to ,win their ever first Bundesliga title.

Wirtz’s ability to break lines and find the final pass is exquisite. He is a master at finding the pockets and will also add goals to the squad.

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Real Madrid added that the 26-year-old will be available to play in next month’s Club World Cup.

Alexander-Arnold, who has made 354 appearances for Liverpool since making his senior debut in 2016, said earlier this month he would leave the club he joined at age six, with his contract set to expire on June 30.

Los Blancos signed Alexander-Arnold before his contract ended, making him available for the Club World Cup in the United States, to be played from June 14 to July 13.

The English defender arrives at the Santiago Bernabéu after a highly successful spell with Liverpool, where he won nine major trophies.

His honors with the Reds include one UEFA Champions League, one FIFA Club World Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two EFL Cups, and one FA Community Shield.

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Liverpool skipper, Virgil van Dijk has signed a new contract with the team to extend his time with the club beyond the 2024-25 season.

The Dutch center-back, who is currently in the final season of his previous deal, which was due to expire in the summer of 2025, has now penned a seven-year extension after arriving from Southampton.

The Netherlands international’s trophy haul consists of the Premier League, Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup, and two League Cups.

His defensive prowess has been fundamental in helping the Reds win seven major honors during that time, with the No.4 clocking up 314 appearances and 27 goals to date.

Van Dijk assumed Liverpool’s captain’s armband permanently in the summer of 2023 and will now help continue the charge for honors, having committed his future to the Reds.

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