LONDON, Dec 13: The first stage of Mohamed Salah’s rehabilitation at Liverpool is complete after the Egypt forward returned to the team for its 2-0 win over Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.
The question now as Salah heads off to the Africa Cup of Nations: Is there a future for him at Anfield when he comes back?
Salah, who let rip last weekend about his current frustrations at Liverpool, entered as a 26th-minute substitute to a big ovation and set up the second of Hugo Ekitike’s goals as the defending champion extended its unbeaten run to five games in all competitions.
Also Saturday, Chelsea beat Everton 2-0 and was set on its way to victory by Cole Palmer’s first goal in three months.
Salah held talks with Liverpool manager Arne Slot on Friday in an effort to overcome their issues and the result was that Salah was recalled to the matchday squad for the Brighton game. He had been a substitute for the last three Premier League matches before being left at home for the midweek Champions League trip to Inter Milan as a punishment for his explosive comments to reporters last weekend.
Liverpool’s fans demonstrated they are willing to excuse Salah for his show of anger and gave him a rapturous welcome when he came on as a substitute for the injured Joe Gomez midway through the first half.
By then, Liverpool was leading 1-0 thanks to Ekitike’s rising shot inside the first minute and Salah showed glimpses of his class, especially on the counterattack. It was Salah’s corner kick that was headed in by Ekitike for the second goal in the 60th, sparking another round of chants for the Egyptian.
Salah could be away for more than a month if Egypt goes all the way in the Africa Cup.
Chelsea beat Everton 2-0
Cole Palmer scored his first Chelsea goal since September as the returning star helped his side beat Everton 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday. Amid an injury-hit season, the Blues talisman opened the scoring before the excellent Malo Gusto doubled the hosts’ advantage. The Toffees barely laid a glove on Enzo Maresca’s team as they claimed their first victory in five matches in all competitions.
Following a feisty opening, which included some argy-bargy and former Chelsea man Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall suffering an early injury, the hosts took the lead in the 21st minute when Palmer beat Jordan Pickford at his near post for his first goal in three months. Even more so than the former Manchester City man, who has been eased back into action after a troublesome groin injury and a toe fracture, Gusto was having a blinder for the Blues as he added a goal to his assist when he swept in Pedro Neto’s cutback just before half-time.
Chelsea, who have dropped more points at home from winning positions in the Premier League this season than any other side (eight), should have been out of sight when Alejandro Garnacho skipped away from Everton’s defence, only to slam a shot well wide. The west London team, who weren’t at their best but didn’t need to be against their limp opponents, breathed a sigh of relief when Iliman Ndiaye’s strike struck the post late on. But they left it too late to mount a comeback as Chelsea climbed up to fourth in the division, while David Moyes, whose Everton side are eighth, is still looking for his first-ever win at Stamford Bridge. (Agencies)
