Mohamed Salah shines in Liverpool’s victory in the FA Cup.
LIVERPOOL — It is a scene the Anfield supporters will always appreciate. For nearly nine years, it has become a matchday tradition for Mohamed Salah to acknowledge the Kop after scoring a crucial goal for Liverpool — and this was once again the case on Saturday night as the Egypt international contributed to Arne Slot’s team’s impressive FA Cup fourth round triumph over Brighton & Hove Albion.
In the context of Salah’s remarkable seasons with Liverpool, the 2025-26 campaign has thus far appeared to be merely a minor detail, with his most notable moment being his fiery reaction following the 3-3 draw against Leeds United in December.
At that moment, his provocative interview — where he criticized both Slot and the club’s management — seemed to suggest a potentially contentious conclusion to his remarkable career at Anfield. However, against Brighton, Salah’s performance reflected a player who seems to have set aside his personal grievances for the benefit of the team.
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This choice may ultimately be crucial in ensuring that this season concludes successfully for Liverpool. While it is undeniable that Father Time is beginning to catch up with him, Salah’s recent performance demonstrated that he remains capable of brilliance — even as he has taken on a more supportive role.
On Saturday, Salah assisted Dominik Szoboszlai before winning and converting a penalty, securing the Reds’ advancement to the fifth round. This marks the 15th occasion he has both scored and assisted in a single match for Liverpool since the beginning of last season; nine more instances than any other Premier League player during this timeframe (Bukayo Saka and Erling Haaland have achieved this six times each).
His expertly placed pass for Szoboszlai means that only Bruno Fernandes has recorded more assists for Premier League clubs in all competitions since mid-December (four), despite Salah missing over a month due to his involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Not bad for a player whose decline has been widely discussed this season.
Against Brighton, Salah was among several standout performers for Liverpool as Slot’s squad managed to regain the dazzling form that has eluded them for much of the season. At left back, Milos Kerkez continued his resurgence, with the Hungary international now exhibiting the determination and skill that prompted Liverpool to acquire him for £45 million from AFC Bournemouth last summer.
The defender’s highlight came when he skillfully set up Curtis Jones to score the opening goal just before half-time. Jones, filling in at right back due to the Reds’ ongoing injury issues, calmly tapped in from close range, showcasing an accomplished performance that illustrated why Internazionale were eager to sign him in the January transfer window — and why Liverpool is keen to extend his contract beyond the summer of 2027.
However, it was in the second half that the hosts truly showcased their style, with Szoboszlai’s superb finish concluding a remarkable team move reminiscent of Liverpool at their finest last season under Slot. The goal marked Szoboszlai’s 10th of the season, and the midfielder now appears well on track to exceed his 2019-20 record for most goals in a single season (12 for RB Salzburg).
Liverpool’s dominance was further emphasized when Salah maneuvered past three Brighton defenders before being brought down in the box by Pascal Groß. The forward confidently converted the resulting penalty, and when Salah was substituted later in the second half for the talented Rio Ngumoha, he received a well-deserved standing ovation from the appreciative crowd.
“It is very nice to have him on the scoresheet again and him having an assist,” Slot remarked about Salah in his post-match press conference. “But what I appreciate the most at the moment is that while scoring goals is something you can almost expect from him, he also contributes significantly to the team’s defensive efforts, which is very positive.
“What the team also requires — and I believe more players are now capable of — is performing at this intensity level every three days, and that is where we struggled at the start of the season. Now that we are able to do so, we are increasingly witnessing the quality we possess, and that is why I have stated numerous times that the future looks very promising for this club.”
Whether Salah will be part of that promising future in the long term remains uncertain. The forward’s current contract extends until the end of next season, though there will undoubtedly be interested parties eager to explore a deal this summer. At the final whistle on Saturday, Salah completed a lap around the pitch while his anthem — to the tune of “Sit Down” by James — resonated from the stadium’s speakers.
It was a fitting conclusion to a successful evening for Liverpool. Based on his latest performance, Salah may still have several more chapters to write before he takes his final bow at Anfield.
