Mohamed Salah has issued a powerful statement on his Liverpool legacy following a week of significant unrest at Anfield. The 33-year-old forward, at the centre of controversy after a candid interview, responded in the best way possible on the pitch before underlining his historic status.
A Turbulent Week and a Poignant Response
The Egyptian superstar sent shockwaves through the football world nine days ago with explosive comments, accusing the club of 'throwing him under the bus' during a poor run of form. This led to his omission from the squad for the Champions League trip to face Inter Milan.
However, he was recalled for Saturday's Premier League clash with Brighton at Anfield, coming on as a first-half substitute for the injured Joe Gomez to a rapturous reception from the home fans. Salah then vindicated manager Arne Slot's decision by providing the assist for Hugo Ekitike's goal in a 2-0 victory.
Eclipsing Rooney: A Record Reminder
That crucial pass was far more than just a simple assist. It saw Salah surpass Wayne Rooney to become the player with the most goal involvements for a single club in Premier League history. The winger now boasts 277 combined goals and assists for Liverpool, moving him above Rooney (276 for Manchester United), Ryan Giggs (271), Harry Kane (259) and Thierry Henry (249).
Not one to let the milestone pass quietly, Salah took to social media platform X to share a graphic of the statistic, sending a clear message to his doubters. His former Liverpool teammate Dejan Lovren quickly replied with a tongue-in-cheek comment, writing: 'Not good enough Mo. You need to cover your full back.'
Slot's Stance and an Impending Departure
Despite the recent friction, manager Arne Slot was unequivocal about Salah's importance after the Brighton win. 'I think he's a Liverpool player and the moment he's there I like to use him when we need him,' Slot stated. He praised Salah's impactful performance off the bench, highlighting his threat and confirming there was 'no issue to resolve' between them.
Salah's immediate focus now shifts to international duty, as he jets off to join Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations. He is expected to feature in a friendly against Nigeria on Wednesday before the tournament begins next Monday. Egypt are in a group with Zimbabwe, Angola and South Africa.
This departure has fuelled further speculation about a potential January move to the Saudi Pro League, with three clubs reportedly monitoring his situation. For now, the three points against Brighton lifted Liverpool to sixth in the table, just two points off the top four, as they prepare for festive fixtures against Tottenham, Wolves and Leeds.
