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FourFourTwo
FourFourTwo
Sport
Matt Ladson

Liverpool's 'clear the air' gesture to Mo Salah offers Arne Slot peaceful way out of delicate situation

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool sat on the bench during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on December 13, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images).

It was earlier than expected that Mo Salah returned to the pitch for Liverpool, introduced as a substitute for the injured Joe Gomez midway through the first half against Brighton, which marked the fifth game in a row that the No.11 hadn’t started.

It meant Salah playing in his typical right forward role, seemingly within a 4-3-3 system. However, Liverpool were often, especially defensively, more 4-4-1-1, with Alexis Mac Allister actually the most advanced behind forward and double goalscorer Hugo Ekitike.

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