Salah’s future in focus as Liverpool prepare for Brighton

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah’s future at Anfield is under scrutiny as manager Arne Slot prepares his side to face Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Egyptian international suggested the match could be his last for the club, following criticism of Slot and the Liverpool hierarchy in a recent interview. Salah, 33, has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League and is set to join Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Salah has missed Liverpool’s past three league matches, including last week’s 3-3 draw at Leeds, and did not travel for Tuesday’s 1-0 Champions League win at Inter Milan. He posted a photo of himself training alone on social media and has invited his family to attend the Brighton fixture.

“I will be in Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go the Africa Cup,” Salah told reporters.
Slot declined to comment on the forward’s remarks, but the situation raises doubts over whether Salah, third on Liverpool’s all-time scoring list, will play for the club again.

Arsenal host struggling Wolves

Premier League leaders Arsenal face Wolves at the Emirates later on Saturday. Wolves have collected only two points from their opening 15 matches and are on course for one of the worst campaigns in league history.

Arsenal lost to Aston Villa last weekend but remain top of the table, two points ahead of Manchester City. Mikel Arteta’s side responded with a 3-0 Champions League win over Club Brugge in midweek, maintaining a perfect record in Europe.

Palace test for Manchester City

Manchester City travel to Crystal Palace on Sunday in a meeting of two in-form sides. Palace, under Oliver Glasner, have 26 points from 15 games, their best start to a top-flight season, and sit in the top four.

City, unbeaten at Selhurst Park since 2015, are seeking a fifth straight win in all competitions as they chase Arsenal at the top. Palace, who beat City in last season’s FA Cup final, have conceded only 12 goals this term, the joint-best defensive record alongside Arsenal.

Weekend fixtures (all times GMT)

Saturday: Chelsea v Everton (15:00), Liverpool v Brighton (15:00), Burnley v Fulham (17:30), Arsenal v Wolves (20:00)

Sunday: Crystal Palace v Manchester City (14:00), Nottingham Forest v Tottenham (14:00), Sunderland v Newcastle (14:00), West Ham v Aston Villa (14:00), Brentford v Leeds (16:30)

Monday: Manchester United v Bournemouth (20:00)

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