Liverpool’s 2–0 victory over Brighton on Saturday was significant for several reasons, delivering back-to-back clean sheets and three vital points that have lifted the Reds into sixth place after a miserable start to the season.
But perhaps most importantly, the football world had its eyes fixed on Mohamed Salah, who returned to the side after being dropped for disciplinary reasons against Inter Milan.
The match was billed as either Salah’s final appearance in a Liverpool shirt or a triumphant return for the Egyptian King—one that signaled a renewed focus and commitment to the club.
The latter proved to be true.
Introduced in the 26th minute, Salah played with an intensity and urgency that had been missing earlier in the season, ultimately providing a crucial assist with a perfectly placed corner kick for Hugo Ekitike to head home and complete his brace.
Just last week, Salah’s departure for AFCON duty with Egypt seemed like an ideal situation, giving both the club legend and his manager time to cool off.
But if his performance against the Seagulls is any indication that last season’s form may be returning, Liverpool will surely wish their No. 11 wasn’t set to be away over the coming weeks.
So, with his services unavailable for an extended stretch and the bench growing thinner, how can Liverpool cope with Salah’s absence?
*Finally* giving Federico Chiesa the playing time he deserves
"Picking a side” between Salah and Slot was never something fans should have fully bought into given the divisive nature of the situation, but I’ve largely backed the manager for how he’s handled adversity this season.
That said, if the boss still refuses to give Federico Chiesa meaningful minutes with Salah away, I’m ready to label him stubborn.
The Italian has been a model professional this season, never making a peep about his limited minutes despite delivering several big moments—most notably the opening-night winner against Bournemouth and a clutch goal-line clearance to preserve a draw against Sunderland.
Even after coming on against Brighton, with the game all but won, Chiesa could have looked for his own moment.
Instead, he sought out Salah, trying to help the Egyptian rediscover his scoring touch—an ultimate act of unselfishness that deserves to be rewarded.
In just 161 minutes of league action this season, Chiesa has already contributed two goals and an assist, and I’m confident he can add to that tally with his fellow right winger set to be away for least three or four weeks at the very least.
Chiesa could get his first Premier League start of the season against Tottenham, and with Spurs sitting mid‑table in goals conceded (ninth‑fewest, 21) and having recently shown vulnerabilities at the back in a 3‑0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, the fan favorite could very well add a goal contribution on Saturday.
Counting on Florian Wirtz's versatility
In addition to Salah’s absence, the Reds must also cope without Cody Gakpo, Slot’s preferred left winger this season, who will be sidelined for a few weeks with an injury.
Fortunately, they have the versatile Florian Wirtz, capable of operating effectively on either wing.
Assuming Chiesa takes on the right wing role, fans can expect Wirtz to dictate play from the left. He’s already proven capable of controlling the game in that position, most notably with his maestro performance in the Reds' massive 1-0 win against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Wirtz continued to showcase his playmaking ability against Brighton, creating three chances while demonstrating defensive prowess by winning all four of his attempted tackles.
It’s mind-boggling that the German still hasn’t registered a league goal contribution, but given the significant minutes he’s likely to see over the next few weeks, one is surely on the way.
After their clash with Spurs, Liverpool face Wolves, a side that has managed just two points all season.
With all due respect, this could be the perfect game for Wirtz to take over, indulge a bit of selfishness, and finally register that long-awaited goal or assist. Against a team that has conceded 35 goals—the most in the league—there’s every reason to back him.
It’s clear the club sees Wirtz as their complete playmaker of the future, much as Salah has been for so long.
With Salah out for a while, this could truly feel like the start of the torch being passed, giving the No. 7 a golden opportunity to show he’s capable of leading this team to glory in the years ahead.
Letting Hugo Ekitike continue to shine
After his two-goal performance against Leeds, I called Hugo Ekitike a “must-start” for the foreseeable future—and he didn’t disappoint, making it back-to-back braces with a pair of sensational goals against Brighton.
While missing Salah will undoubtedly hurt, Ekitike’s current form suggests that, with even decent service, he can continue to be Liverpool’s in-form man.
With a lightning-quick strike to the top corner less than a minute in and a soaring header no Seagull could challenge, Ekitike has shown he can score in multiple ways—a versatility that will prove essential with Liverpool’s most adaptable player ever currently absent.
Looking further down the fixture list, Salah could still be with Egypt ahead of the massive reverse fixture against Arsenal on Jan. 8.
Given that the Gunners—once considered champions-elect after a strong start—have shown cracks by dropping points twice in their last five league games, Hugo could be pivotal in breaking down Arsenal’s backline.
In their first meeting of the season at Anfield, Ekitike was relatively quiet, though that largely reflected both teams feeling each other out when the table positions were tighter.
With Liverpool likely needing to take more risks at the Emirates, expect the Reds’ striker to make up for a subdued performance in the first encounter.
Alongside Wirtz, Liverpool’s new signings have demonstrated they belong at the club. If Ekitike continues his strong form without the teammate who assisted him against Brighton, he could firmly establish himself as one of the most explosive strikers in the league.