Salah Back: Liverpool Beat Brighton | Premier League Result

The first stage of Mohamed Salah’s rehabilitation with Liverpool has been completed after the Egyptian striker returned to the team for Saturday’s 2-0 win over Brighton in the Premier League.

The question now before Salah heads to the African Cup of Nations is: is there a future for him at Anfield when he returns?

Salah, who expressed his current frustrations at Liverpool last weekend, came on as a 26th-minute substitute to a standing ovation and assisted on Hugo Ekitike’s second goal as the defending champions extended their unbeaten run to five games in all competitions.

Also on Saturday, Chelsea beat Everton 2-0 and headed to victory with Cole Palmer’s first goal in three months. Leaders Arsenal host last-place Wolverhampton later.

enthusiastic welcomeSalah held talks with Liverpool manager Arne Slot on Friday in an effort to overcome his problems and the result was Salah being called up for the match against Brighton. He had been a substitute in the last three Premier League games before staying home for the midweek Champions League trip against Inter Milan as punishment for his explosive comments to journalists last weekend.

“It was an easy decision to put him on the team,” Slot said. “I have said many times before that what has been said between us will stay between us.”

Liverpool fans showed they are willing to forgive Salah for his outburst and gave him an enthusiastic welcome when he came on as a substitute for the injured Joe Gomez midway through the first half.

By then Liverpool were leading 1-0 thanks to Ekitike’s first-minute strike and Salah showed flashes of his class, especially on the counter-attack. It was Salah’s corner kick that Ekitike headed in for the second goal in the 60th, sparking another round of chants for the Egyptian.

Slot said Salah was a threat throughout the match.

“It’s nice to see, but not a surprise,” Slot said.

Salah could be out for more than a month if Egypt goes all the way in the African Cup.

Precise definitionIt was the second consecutive start for Palmer, whose season was affected by a groin injury that has limited him to seven games in all competitions.

There seemed to be nothing wrong with Palmer as he ran onto Malo Gusto’s pass and scored accurately at the near post to give Chelsea the lead in the 21st minute at Stamford Bridge.

However, Palmer said after the match that he was not yet in his best shape because he is “still dealing with an injury.”

“It’s just a matter of not doing too much, too soon,” Palmer told the BBC. “It’s literally just a day-to-day thing. I hope it gets better.”

Gusto added the second goal in the 45th minute for Chelsea, who jumped to fourth place.

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