Mohamed Salah marked his return to the Liverpool starting XI with an immediate impact as the Reds defeated Brighton 2–0 at Anfield on Saturday. The Egyptian star had been absent for two games amid criticism over his form, leading to headlines dubbing him “on the bench again” before kickoff.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot was forced to bring Salah on in the 26th minute after an unfortunate injury to Joe Gomez. Although Salah did not score, he played a pivotal role in both of Liverpool’s goals, providing the assist for Hugo Ekitike’s second strike in the 60th minute. From a corner, Salah delivered a precise cross, allowing Ekitike to head home from close range, marking Salah’s first direct contribution to a Liverpool goal in eight matches.
Earlier, Ekitike had opened the scoring inside the first minute. Gomez’s header found Ekitike entering the penalty box from the right flank, and the striker executed a stunning volley over the Brighton goalkeeper to give Liverpool an early lead—their first goal in the opening minute of a Premier League match since 2019.
Salah’s assist also saw him break a club record. He has now contributed to 277 Liverpool goals in the Premier League, comprising 188 goals and 89 assists, surpassing Wayne Rooney’s Manchester United record of 276 contributions (183 goals, 93 assists) for a single club in the league.
With this win, Liverpool recorded their eighth victory in 16 matches, taking 26 points, moving them up to sixth in the Premier League standings. Brighton, with 23 points from the same number of matches, slipped to ninth.
Elsewhere, Chelsea defeated Everton 2–0 at Stamford Bridge. Cole Palmer broke the deadlock in the 21st minute, scoring his first Premier League goal since September, before Malo Gusto doubled the lead just before halftime. Chelsea now sit fourth with 28 points from 16 games, while Everton remain eighth with 24 points.
Liverpool fans celebrated Salah’s return not only for the victory but also for his contribution to a historic record, reinforcing his status as one of the club’s all-time greats.
Key Match Statistics
| Match | Score | Goal Scorers | Assists | Minute of First Goal | Liverpool Points | Brighton Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool vs Brighton | 2–0 | Hugo Ekitike (2) | Mohamed Salah (1) | 1′ | 26 | 23 |
| Chelsea vs Everton | 2–0 | Cole Palmer, Malo Gusto | – | 21′, 45′ | 28 | 24 |
Salah’s Premier League Record for Liverpool
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Goals | 188 |
| Assists | 89 |
| Total Goal Contributions | 277 |
| Previous Club Record Holder | Wayne Rooney (Manchester United – 276) |