Liverpool boss Arne Slot calls Mohamed Salah selection an ‘easy decision’, Hugo Ekitike says playing with the Egyptian a ‘blessing’

His involvement came just a week after his incendiary comments following a 3-3 draw with Leeds United.

After being absent for Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League victory over Internazionale, Salah was among the substitutes and replaced the injured Joe Gomez midway through the first half.

Slot said it was an “easy decision” to bring Salah into the team, whilst playing coy on their behind-the-scenes conversations.

“I think he was a threat,” Slot said in his post-match interview following a 2-0 win at Anfield. “The first ball he touched, he almost made an assist for (Alexis) Mac Allister.

“He was constantly involved in the threat we had, which was pleasing to see but also not a surprise because he’s done that many times in a Liverpool shirt.

“It was an easy decision to put him in the squad. I’ve said many times before what’s been said between the two of us, and for me that stays between the two of us.

“He was back in the squad again, and we needed him because he was the first substitution I made. He assisted for the 2-0, the corner kick, which was also very nice for us because so many times this season we’ve been on the wrong end of set pieces.”

It was Salah’s last appearance for Liverpool before heading to the Africa Cup of Nations to join up with the Egypt national team.

He had insinuated that the Brighton fixture could be his last in a Liverpool shirt and said he does not know what will happen once he leaves for AFCON, which takes place from December 21 to January 18.

“He goes to AFCON with Egypt now,” Slot added.

“That means we’re another player down and we already didn’t have a lot today. We knew before the season started that he would go and hopefully one or two players from injury can come back. Next week is Tottenham away which is a challenge in itself.”

With Salah away with Egypt, Alexander Isak still struggling with injuries and Cody Gakpo not expected to return for another few weeks, the burden of Liverpool’s attacking threat will likely continue to fall on Ekitike’s shoulders.

But if braces against both Leeds United and Brighton are any indication, the Frenchman is relishing the chance to take centre stage.

His two goals against Brighton brought his total tally to nine for the season.

Salah ‘a blessing’ to play with – Ekitike

Part of the allure of Liverpool will almost certainly have been the chance to play with Salah, and Ekitike will be hoping for plenty more instances like the win over Brighton where he met a whipped ball from his team-mate with a pinpoint header.

The 23-year-old pointed to his senior colleague as someone who he looks up to, and called it a “blessing” to be able to share the pitch with him.

“Mohamed is a great, great professional,” Ekitike said on Saturday.

“I look to him as an example. You can see how much he is involved in goals and assists. He is a legend here. To share the pitch is a blessing. That’s the kind of player who makes us like to watch football.”

With a difficult away win over Inter backed up by a comprehensive performance against Brighton, Liverpool are looking to shake off their poor form over the last two months.

Ekitike has been central to that, and the club now sit just two points behind the Premier League top four.

“That was really important,” Ekitike said. “We had a great game in the Champions League. Last game in Premier League against Leeds was difficult. We came back to Liverpool with the draw so today it was important to win and maybe restart something. I am happy today.

“I really enjoy my life here. I have great team-mates, good staff, great fans. They give me so much love so I try to give it back. The best way is to score goals, be involved and win games.

“I am just here and I do my job. Whether I play with Flo (Wirtz) or Alex (Isak) I do my best to complement them.”

Slot reveals plans for Salah ‘conversation’ ahead of Brighton match

Video credit: SNTV

Gomez ‘not expected’ to be in squad for Spurs

Slot also gave an injury update on Gomez and Dominik Szoboszlai following Saturday’s fixture,

The Dutchman revealed he does not expect Gomez to be available for the upcoming fixture against Tottenham Hotspur on December 20.

The defender was forced off during the first half against Brighton and Szoboszlai, who moved to right-back in place of Gomez, was also withdrawn in the latter part of the match.

“I would not expect him to be in the squad next week. But sometimes you get a positive surprise.

“People now maybe understand a bit better why I was always so cautious not to play him so many games. I assume many people thought, ‘If you have a defender, if you have a right full-back, why don’t you play him?’

“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.

“The good thing is that Conor Bradley comes back from a suspension (next week) and normally Jeremie Frimpong will train with us also.

“But we’re also going to miss Mo because he is going to go to the Africa Cup of Nations.”