Mohamed Salah is back in the Liverpool squad. The club’s star forward has held peace talks with manager Arne Slot at the training ground and is now set to be involved against Brighton this weekend, in what is expected to be his final game before leaving for the African Cup of Nations with Egypt.

The meeting, confirmed by several outlets, brings a fast end to a tense week at Anfield. Salah had felt he had been “thrown under the bus” by his own manager after being left out of the Champions League tie against Inter Milan. Now, after clear-the-air talks, both men have chosen to move forward, with Liverpool’s season and Salah’s legacy back in focus.

Salah, Slot and a Week That Shocked Liverpool

When Salah did not appear in the squad for Liverpool’s Champions League match against Inter Milan, it raised eyebrows. When it then emerged that the decision came after friction between the player and Arne Slot, it became the story of the weekend.

The reports were clear: Salah felt singled out. He believed comments and decisions from Slot made him look like the problem, and he let people know he felt he had been “thrown under the bus.” For a player who has carried Liverpool for years, that language was a major warning sign.

Slot, still in the early stages of shaping this Liverpool side, suddenly found himself in the middle of a storm with the club’s most high-profile player. The Champions League is a stage where Salah has often shone, and leaving him out of a big night against Inter Milan turned a normal selection call into a flashpoint.

“Leaving Salah out of Inter was bold, but risking a full fallout felt insane for this stage of the season.”

Inside the Peace Talks: Why Timing Mattered

According to reports, the peace talks took place today at Liverpool’s training ground. This was not a small detail. Meeting at the club base signals a formal step from both sides: sit down, talk it through, and reset.

The timeline was tight. With Brighton coming up on Saturday and the African Cup of Nations around the corner, Liverpool could not let this row drag on. Salah is not just another squad player; he is the face of the team and a key part of its attack.

By moving quickly, Slot avoided letting the story grow for another week. A second game without Salah, especially at home in the Premier League, would have turned the spotlight on the manager’s authority and the club’s ability to handle big personalities.

Instead, the message now is different: there was a problem, it was serious enough to cost Salah a Champions League night, but it has been dealt with. The peace talks and the decision to bring Salah back into the matchday squad show that both manager and player understand the bigger picture.

From “Thrown Under the Bus” to Back on the Team Sheet

The phrase “thrown under the bus” cuts deep in football. It suggests betrayal, blame, and being left exposed in public. When linked to Salah, it tells you how strong his feelings were.

We do not have the full transcript of what was said between Salah and Slot, but the outcome is clear:

• The earlier tension was real and significant.
• It was strong enough to lead to a high-profile omission versus Inter Milan.
• Both sides have now agreed to move on, at least in the short term.

For Slot, the challenge is delicate. He has to show he can manage big stars, keep discipline, and still get the best out of them. For Salah, the focus now shifts from frustration to football: can he channel the emotion of the past week into one more big performance before joining Egypt?

“If this is Salah’s last game before AFCON, you almost expect him to respond with a statement performance.”

Brighton Clash: A Final Liverpool Bow Before AFCON

Saturday’s game against Brighton now carries extra weight. It was already important in the Premier League race; now it is also framed as Salah’s last chance to play for Liverpool before the African Cup of Nations.

For Egypt, getting Salah back fit and focused is vital. For Liverpool, the Brighton match is a chance to do three things at once:

• Put three league points on the board.
• Show that the internal issues are under control.
• Send Salah off to AFCON on good terms with the club and the fans.

A sharp Salah on Saturday helps everyone. It gives Liverpool a better chance of beating a tricky Brighton side, it eases the noise around the club, and it allows Salah himself to remind the world why he is still one of the most feared forwards in the game.

Why Liverpool Could Not Afford a Long Salah Rift

From a wider view, this story is about more than one missed match. It touches on questions every top club faces:

• How do you keep control of the dressing room without losing your biggest stars?
• How much power should a manager have over a club icon?
• What happens when a player feels public criticism has gone too far?

At Liverpool, Salah is not just a goal scorer. He is a symbol of a successful era and a key commercial figure. Letting a rift with him grow would have created weeks of headlines and constant questions for Slot, his staff, and the players.

Multiple reports confirming the same core story – peace talks, a clear resolution, and his return to the squad – send a steady message: the club has chosen unity over an extended power struggle. That does not mean the underlying issues no longer exist, but it does mean all parties have agreed that the season comes first.

“You can disagree behind closed doors, but when Salah pulls on that red shirt again, the only thing that matters is what happens on the pitch.”

What This Means for Arne Slot’s Leadership

For Arne Slot, this episode may become a defining early test. Dropping Salah for Inter Milan showed he was willing to make a big call. Accepting Salah back after peace talks shows he is also willing to listen and adjust.

Finding that balance is crucial. Top players want to feel respected and protected in public. Fans want to know that no one is bigger than the club. Slot has tried to walk that tightrope in one of the loudest football markets in the world.

His next steps will be watched closely:

• How often does he start Salah once he returns from AFCON?
• What tone does he use when speaking about Salah in press conferences?
• Does this incident change how other players see his authority?

The immediate crisis has been calmed. Now Slot has to turn this into a platform, not a pattern.

Looking Ahead: Short-Term Fix or Long-Term Truce?

For now, Liverpool have what they needed: Salah available, the dressing room seemingly steady, and the focus back on football. But fans will wonder whether this is a short-term patch or the start of a lasting truce.

Much will depend on results and performances. If Salah plays well, scores goals, and the team keeps winning, this week may be remembered as a brief wobble. If tensions re-emerge later in the season, people will look back at the “thrown under the bus” comments as a sign of deeper cracks.

What is certain is that Saturday’s clash with Brighton is now must-watch. It is not just about points. It is about seeing how Salah responds, how Slot uses him, and how Anfield reacts to the return of a superstar who has just reminded everyone that even club legends have limits when they feel exposed.

For Liverpool, the message is simple: the peace talks are done, the squad list is set, and Mohamed Salah is back. Now the football has to do the talking.