Salah Shines in Liverpool’s FA Cup Victory Over Brighton

omidbasir- LIVERPOOL — The Anfield crowd remains enchanted by a familiar sight: Mohamed Salah saluting the Kop after scoring a decisive goal. This tradition continued on Saturday night as the Egyptian international contributed significantly to Arne Slot’s side, leading them to a commendable FA Cup fourth-round victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.

In the context of Salah’s remarkable tenure at Liverpool, the 2025-26 season could easily be perceived as a mere footnote. His most memorable moment thus far came during an explosive post-match interview following a 3-3 draw with Leeds United in December, where he expressed his frustrations with both Slot and the club hierarchy. However, against Brighton, Salah demonstrated a commitment to the team, seemingly setting aside his personal grievances for the collective good.

This decision may prove crucial for Liverpool’s success this season. While it is undeniable that time is catching up with Salah, his latest performance underscored his ability to shine, even as he has assumed more of a supporting role.

During the match, Salah assisted Dominik Szoboszlai and also won and converted a penalty, securing the Reds’ advancement to the fifth round. This marks the 15th occasion since last season that he has both scored and assisted in a single game, outpacing other Premier League players such as Bukayo Saka and Erling Haaland, who have managed this feat six times each.

Salah’s assist for Szoboszlai positions him just behind Bruno Fernandes for the most assists by a Premier League player in all competitions since mid-December, despite Salah’s absence for over a month due to his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Against Brighton, Salah was among several standout performers as Liverpool recaptured the impressive form that had eluded them this season. Milos Kerkez, playing left back, showcased his revival with a gritty performance that justifies Liverpool’s £45 million investment from AFC Bournemouth last summer. His standout moment came when he set up Curtis Jones to score just before halftime.

In the second half, Liverpool turned on the style with Szoboszlai’s excellent finish rounding off a stunning team move reminiscent of the team’s best performances from the previous season under Slot. That goal marked Szoboszlai’s 10th of the campaign, as he aims to surpass his previous record of 12 goals for RB Salzburg.

Liverpool’s dominance was further affirmed when Salah skillfully maneuvered past three Brighton defenders before being fouled in the box by Pascal Groß. He confidently converted the resulting penalty, and as he was substituted later in the match for the promising Rio Ngumoha, he received a well-deserved standing ovation from the crowd.

Post-match, Slot expressed his satisfaction with Salah’s contributions, noting, “It is very nice to have him on the scoresheet again and him having an assist. What I appreciate most is that he not only scores but also helps the team defensively, which is very positive.”

Slot emphasized the need for players to maintain a high intensity every three days, a challenge Liverpool struggled with earlier in the season. As the team becomes more capable, the quality of play is improving, suggesting a bright future for the club.

The long-term future of Salah at Liverpool remains uncertain, as his contract expires at the end of next season, likely drawing interest from various parties this summer. At the final whistle on Saturday, Salah took a lap around the pitch as his anthem played over the stadium speakers, marking a fitting conclusion to an encouraging evening for Liverpool. Given his recent performance, Salah appears poised to write more chapters in his remarkable Anfield story before his eventual departure.