Arne Slot Addresses Mohamed Salah "Drama" & Reveals Double Injury Blow vs Brighton

If Mo Salah has played his last game at Anfield, he made it a memorable one. The Egyptian King came on for an injured Joe Gomez in the 26th minute and turned in a vintage performance. 

His corner that resulted in the Ekitiké header was sublime, particularly since the Reds have struggled with set pieces all season. The only thing missing was a goal. Even so, he set the new EPL record for goal involvements with 277 goal involvements, passing Wayne Rooney 

Ekitiké Rounding Into Form

Even with all the headlines about Salah, Ekitiké might be flying under the radar. That’s a shame because he has four goals in the last two EPL games. He has 7 goals in his first 10 EPL starts. Only Daniel Sturridge (eight) scored more in his first 10 starts in the competition for Liverpool. 

“We try to stick together, work together,” Ekitiké said. “Even today, it wasn't easy. At the end of the game we had to stay compact, stick together, because when we are in that position it's difficult to get a result. Happy today, because I think we deserved [it]. We did a great week and let's continue."

Mended Fences?

Arne Slot admitted in his post-match interview that the reason Salah was not in the squad vs. Milan was the interview he had. While Slot did not reveal the talking points of the much-discussed meeting he had with Salah, what transpired must have been enough to put the Egyptian King back in the boss’s good graces.

“I think the reason why he wasn't in Milan was his interview and the question is always – and everybody has a different opinion about that – should he be once, twice, three times, four times, four months, 12 years... every manager makes [a] different decision in that,” Slot said. “He wasn't involved in the game against Milan, I spoke to him yesterday and usually I never say anything about what we talk about, I am not going to make an exception now but I think actions speak louder than what has been said. He was in the squad again and when I had to make my first substitution, I brought him in and he performed as I think every fan – including me – would like him to perform today.”

On Hugo Ekitiké's Performance

Addresses“Adapting to the Premier League, that intensity, some of them had to adapt to the Premier League and [the] Champions League,” Slot said I see all of them making progress in that. So, Hugo has cramp today but I can assure you that he did probably twice as much as in games in the beginning of the season where I had to take him off with cramp as well. 

That is what this league brings. If you cannot be so intense for such a long time, it's so hard to win a game of football because the best players, athletes, in the world play in this league, and we are trying to prepare them more and more, better and better for that – and I can see that progress with most of our signings, maybe all of them.”

Injury Update

Joe Gomez was subbed off in the first half due to what is being described as a muscle injury. Dominik Szoboszlai played through an ankle injury suffered in the second half.

"I would not expect him [Gomez] to be in the squad next week [at Tottenham Hotspur],” Slot said. “But sometimes you get a positive surprise.And Dom, it was his ankle. It didn't look great when I just saw him. But he has unbelievable mentality so let's hope for the best.”

For the latest timeline on Gomez and Szoboszlai, check our full Liverpool FC Injury List & Return Dates.