-
beth lindop
multiple authors
LIVERPOOL–It’s a sight the Anfield crowd will never tire of seeing. For almost nine years, this has been the match day tradition mohammed salah saluting the wrath after sending the decider liverpool Goal – and so it proved again on Saturday night egypt The international helped Arne Slott’s side seal an impressive victory in the FA Cup fourth round brighton and hove albion.
In the pantheon of Salah’s extraordinary Liverpool seasons, 2025-26 appears to be little more than a footnote so far, with the forward’s most memorable contributions coming with his explosive bursts of form. 3-3 draw with leeds united Back in December.
His inflammatory interview at that time–in which He took aim at both slots and the club hierarchy – It looked as if he might bring an unfair end to an extraordinary Anfield career. However, against Brighton, Salah’s performance was that of a man who has put aside his personal frustrations for the good of the team.
– Stones’ quest for World Cup, new Man City deal begins with win over Salford
– What the football world can learn from FA Cup heroes Macclesfield
– O’Hanlon: The best and worst Premier League players across different skills
It is a decision that could prove vital in ensuring a successful campaign for Liverpool. And while it’s impossible to deny that Father Time has begun to catch up to him, Salah’s latest show has proven that he is still capable of shining – even if he has now started playing a supporting role.
Salah helped on Saturday Dominic Szoboszlai before winning and scoring a penalty to send the Reds through to the fifth round. In all competitions, this is the 15th time he has both scored and assisted in the same game for Liverpool since the start of last season; nine times more than any other Premier League Players during this period (bukayo saka And erling holland Each has done it six times).
His beautifully weighted pass to Szoboszlai only matters bruno fernandes There have been more assists for Premier League clubs in all competitions since mid-December (four), despite Salah missing more than a month in action due to his involvement. Africa Cup of Nations.
Not bad for a guy whose decline this season has been much heralded.
Against Brighton, Salah was one of several impressive performers for Liverpool as the slot’s slide managed to recapture the great form that had been missing for most of this season. left and back, Milos Kerkez continued its revival with Hungary The international is now playing with the patience and guile that forced Liverpool to sign him for £45 million AFC Bournemouth Last summer.
The standout moment for the defender came when he performed brilliantly curtis jones The scoring started shortly before half time. Jones, deputizing at right back due to the Reds’ ongoing injury crisis, cleverly tapped home from close range to cap an accomplished display that showed why. international Who were very keen to sign him in the January transfer window – and why Liverpool are so keen to extend his contract beyond the summer of 2027.
However, it was in the second half that the hosts really turned up in style, Szoboszlai’s excellent finish completing a stunning team move that was reminiscent of Liverpool at their best last stint down the slot. The goal was Szoboszlai’s 10th goal of the campaign and the midfielder now looks well set to surpass his 2019-20 tally for most goals in a single campaign (12) RB salzburg).
Liverpool’s dominance was further enhanced when Salah beat three Brighton defenders before turning over in the box. Pascal Gros. The forward made no mistake with the resulting spot-kick and when – late in the second half – Salah was replaced by the prodigy Rio NgumohaHe got due respect from his adoring public.
“It’s great to get him on the scoresheet again and give him an assist,” Slot said of Salah in his post-match press conference. “But what I like most at the moment is that he is scoring goals, which you can almost expect, but he also helps the team a lot defensively and that is a very positive thing.
“What the team also needs – and I think more and more players are capable of now – is to play at this level of intensity every three days and that’s where we struggled at the beginning of the season. Now we are able to do that, we see more and more of the quality that we have and that’s why I’ve said many times that the future looks really bright for this club.”
It remains to be seen whether Salah will be part of a bright long-term future. The forward’s current deal runs until the end of next season, although there will no doubt be interested parties looking to see if a deal can be struck this summer. At the full-time whistle on Saturday, Salah took a lap around the pitch while his song – to the tune of “Sit Down” by James – played from the stadium speakers.
It was a fitting end to a positive evening for Liverpool. On the evidence of his latest performances, Salah still has a few more chapters to write before taking his final Anfield bow.
