Anfield’s standing ovation for Salah during Liverpool's victory over Brighton speaks volumes about Egyptian's legacy

Defending Premier League champions Liverpool appearing to regaining their old form close to the Christmas break with Arne Slot’s men currently on a five-match unbeaten streak, winning three of those outings. The Reds had hit rock bottom after suffering a 1-4 thrashing at Anfield in their UEFA Champions League fixture against PSV Eindhoven – their third defeat on the trot.

Liverpool avoided a fourth consecutive defeat with a 2-0 victory in an away fixture against relegation-threatened West Ham, before being held to draws by Sunderland (1-1) and Leeds United (3-3). The 20-time English top-flight champions, however, have since beaten Inter Milan 1-0 in the Champions League before inflicting a 2-0 loss on Brighton at home on Saturday.

Salah receives standing ovation at Anfield a week after explosive comment at Leeds

The highlight of the fixture, however, wasn’t Hugo Ekitike’s brace – which included a goal in the very first minute of the contest. Rather, it was the the rousing reception accorded to Mohamed Salah by the Anfield crowd despite the star forward’s recent comments that arguably was the standout moment from Saturday’s contest.

And it wasn’t just after his entry on the pitch as a substitute – Salah had a broad smile on his face as Liverpool supporters continued to cheer for him after the final whistle.

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Listen to Mohamed Salah’s reception after @LFC’s win against Brighton 📣 🏟 pic.twitter.com/fU96KynbGq

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 13, 2025

Salah, after all, had infamously accused Liverpool of "throwing him under the bus" after the high-scoring draw against Leeds at Elland Road, and indirectly blaming Slot for attempting to pin all the blame on him.

The 33-year-old had been relegated to the bench during the away clash, and did not hold back while speaking to reporters in a mixed zone. The Egyptian was then left behind in England as the squad departed for Milan for their Champions League tie, at which point an exit during the winter break appeared imminent for the veteran forward.

Also Read | Arne Slot says he has 'no reason for not wanting Mo Salah to stay' at Liverpool

The rousing reception that Salah was greeted with at Liverpool’s home ground on Saturday would therefore have come as something of a pleasant surprise. And though he remains linked to a move to the Saudi Pro League in the winter break, Saturday’s welcome at Anfield might just have the forward rethinking about his future in the iconic club.