>>> LIVERPOOL......2 BRIGHTON......Ο

Slot remains optimistic. After talks with the player on Friday, the Dutchman said: "For me there is no issue to resolve. He is now the same as any player.

- CARL MARKHAM AT ANFIELD

MO SALAH was back in the Liverpool fold but had his thunder stolen by Hugo Ekitike as the Frenchman's doubled floored Brighton.

The Egyptian king returned to the squad for this victory over the Seagulls after being dropped for an outspoken interview last weekend in which he claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” by the club.

But he came off the bench midway through the first half and the 33-year-old's corner allowed Ekitike to score his second goal of the game.

His first after 46 seconds was the fastest of the season - while the Egyptian's assist surpassed Wayne Rooney's Premier League goal involvement record with his 277th contribution (188 goals and 89 assists).