Premier League: Van Dijk hopes Salah will stay at Liverpool after AFCON stint

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk stressed the importance of Mohamed Salah after Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield, adding that he hoped the Egyptian would stay at the club after the Africa Cup.

Salah returned to the Liverpool squad on Saturday after a turbulent week after the striker’s scathing criticism of the club raised uncertainty over his future on Merseyside.

The 33-year-old replaced the injured Joe Gomez in the 26th minute, much to the delight of the fans who welcomed him with a standing ovation and provided an assist for Hugo Ekitike’s second goal.

“Mo is going to AFCON and we all hope he will be successful there and that he will come back and be important for us for the rest of the season,” Van Dijk told reporters after Saturday’s match.

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“The other side is that we all know football and have no idea what is going to happen.

“I hope he stays because he is one of my leaders and still very important to the football club.

“But there are more parties to this situation.”

Salah had accused the club of throwing him “under the bus” and claimed his relationship with Slot had broken down in a fiery outburst after last weekend’s 3-3 draw at Leeds United.

He will now be part of the Egyptian squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, which runs until January 18.

Published on December 14, 2025