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Beth Lindop
Multiple Authors
LIVERPOOL — The Anfield crowd is always thrilled to witness this moment. For nearly nine years, it has become a matchday tradition for Mohamed Salah to acknowledge the Kop after scoring an impactful Liverpool goal — and this was again the case on Saturday night as the Egypt international played a pivotal role in Arne Slot’s team securing a noteworthy FA Cup fourth round victory against Brighton & Hove Albion.
In the grand scheme of Salah’s remarkable seasons at Liverpool, the 2025-26 campaign has thus far seemed likely to be overlooked, with his most notable moment arising from his fiery response following the 3-3 draw against Leeds United back in December.
At that moment, his explosive interview — where he criticized both Slot and the club’s management — suggested that an unsatisfactory conclusion to an impressive Anfield career might be on the horizon. Yet, against Brighton, Salah showcased himself as a player who appears to have prioritized the team over personal discontent.
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This choice could prove crucial for Liverpool’s success this season. While it’s undeniable that age is starting to make its mark on him, Salah’s recent performance confirmed that he still possesses the ability to impress — even as he adopts a more supportive role.
On Saturday, Salah provided an assist to Dominik Szoboszlai before winning and converting a penalty, ensuring the Reds advanced to the fifth round. This marks the 15th occasion that he has scored and assisted in a single match for Liverpool since the start of last season, surpassing any other Premier League player in the same timeframe (Bukayo Saka and Erling Haaland have both achieved this six times).
His expertly placed pass to Szoboszlai positions him only behind Bruno Fernandes for most assists in all competitions for Premier League clubs since mid-December (four), despite Salah missing over a month due to participation in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Remarkable for a player whose potential decline has been frequently discussed this season.
In the match against Brighton, Salah was among a number of standout performers as Slot’s squad rediscovered the exhilarating form that had eluded them for much of the season. Left-back Milos Kerkez continued to prove his worth, showcasing the tenacity and skill that led Liverpool to acquire him for £45 million from AFC Bournemouth last summer.
The defender’s highlight was an exquisite setup for Curtis Jones, who opened the scoring just before half-time. Jones, filling in at right back due to the team’s ongoing injury issues, skillfully scored from close range, showing exactly why Internazionale were eager to procure him during the January transfer window and why Liverpool is keen to renew his contract beyond the summer of 2027.
In the second half, the home side truly showcased their ability, with Szoboszlai’s impressive finish completing a brilliant team effort reminiscent of Liverpool at their peak last season under Slot. This goal marked Szoboszlai’s tenth of the season, and the midfielder is now clearly on track to surpass his best-ever tally from the 2019-20 season (12 for RB Salzburg).
Liverpool’s dominance intensified when Salah skillfully evaded three Brighton defenders before being fouled in the box by Pascal Groß. He confidently converted the resulting penalty, and when Salah was substituted for the emerging Rio Ngumoha later in the half, he earned a well-deserved standing ovation from the fans.
“It’s great to see him on the scoresheet again and contributing with an assist,” Slot remarked during his post-match conference about Salah. “What I appreciate most right now is that while scoring goals has become almost expected of him, he also contributes significantly to the team defensively, which is very encouraging.”
“What the team needs — and I believe more players are now capable of — is to compete at this intensity level every three days, an area we struggled with at the beginning of the season. Now that we can do this, we are witnessing more of our quality, reinforcing my belief that the future is incredibly bright for this club.”
Whether Salah will be part of that radiant future in the long term is yet to be determined. His current contract extends through the end of next season, though various parties may be eager to explore potential deals this summer. Following the final whistle on Saturday, Salah completed a lap around the pitch as his anthem — to the tune of “Sit Down” by James — resonated from the stadium speakers.
It was a fitting conclusion to an uplifting night for Liverpool. Given his latest performance, it seems Salah still has a few more stories to tell before he bids farewell to Anfield.
