Salah Returns With Record-Breaking Assist as Liverpool Beat Brighton

Salah Returns With Record-Breaking Assist as Liverpool Beat Brighton

Mohamed Salah marked his much-anticipated return to Liverpool action with a decisive assist as the Reds defeated Brighton 2-0 at Anfield, powered by a Hugo Ekitike double.

The victory lifted Liverpool to sixth place in the Premier League standings and extended their unbeaten run to five matches, sealing their first home win since November 4.

Attention was firmly on Salah, who returned to the matchday squad after being dropped for Liverpool’s midweek Champions League win against Inter Milan, following his explosive post-match comments after the draw at Leeds United. Named on the bench by manager Arne Slot, the Egyptian star entered the game in the 26th minute after Joe Gomez was forced off injured, with Dominik Szoboszlai shifting to right-back.

Liverpool made a lightning start, opening the scoring after just 46 seconds — the fastest Premier League goal of the season. A header from Gomez found Ekitike, who controlled and volleyed past Bart Verbruggen to put the hosts ahead.

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Brighton missed several opportunities to equalise, with goalkeeper Alisson Becker denying Diego Gomez when clean through, before the midfielder later squandered an open goal.

The visitors were punished for their wastefulness on the hour mark when Salah’s corner picked out an unmarked Ekitike, who headed home his second goal. It was the French forward’s 10th goal of the season and his second consecutive league double.

The assist saw Salah reach 277 goal involvements in 302 Premier League appearances for Liverpool — the most by any player for a single club, surpassing Wayne Rooney’s record at Manchester United.

Salah was heavily involved throughout and went close to scoring late on, only to blaze wide after being set up by Federico Chiesa. He later applauded all four sides of Anfield, as uncertainty continues to surround his future at the club.

The Egyptian winger is set to depart for Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt, where he could miss up to eight matches if his country reach the final in Morocco.

Despite off-field distractions and speculation over Salah’s future, Liverpool recorded back-to-back wins and clean sheets, while Brighton slipped to ninth in the table.

Salah Returns With Record-Breaking Assist as Liverpool Beat Brighton