He mentioned he was bringing his mother to explore the place where he has accumulated so many cherished memories. As he stood aside during the warm-up, gazing around in a reflective manner, it was clear he was once again communicating one of those poignant messages he’s known for.

Yet Anfield has a unique way of molding narratives and honoring those it holds dear. Thus, when a first-half injury sidelined a wing-back, it offered Mo Salah an opportunity to reclaim the spotlight, suggesting that his journey with Anfield isn’t over just yet.

After stepping in for Joe Gomez, just before the half-hour mark, Salah’s performance was not his finest. While it may not be remembered in the annals of his career, he did make a notable sprint down the pitch to connect with a ball from Federico Chiesa during injury time, only for the slightly off-target pass to end up over the bar. Another counter-attack attempt at the end resulted in a disappointingly poor pass.

The loudest applause of the afternoon was reserved for James Milner, who was on Brighton’s bench. His presence symbolizes the leadership and captain’s spirit that Liverpool has been missing. A former club leader recently expressed a longing for the qualities that Milner and Jordan Henderson, both now departed, once brought to the team.

However, when it came to crowd reactions, the announcement of Mo Salah’s name as a substitute was nearly as loud. The fans were eager to move past recent events and chose not to dwell too much on Salah’s nostalgic expression as he surveyed the stadium that has been the backdrop to eight and a half years of his remarkable football journey.

Mohamed Salah made his Liverpool return in their 2-0 victory over Brighton at Anfield

Salah was not his vintage self on his return and blazed over in second half stoppage time

Salah had his thunder stolen by Hugo Ekitike, with the forward scoring twice for the hosts 

Liverpool began very well without him, their goal inside 46 seconds a product of some of the old heavy metal football from Curtis Jones, chivvying and chasing Brighton out of possession from the off, as much as for Ekitike’s ice cold finish. Gomez, first to Yankuba Minteh’s terribly shanked clearance, headed it down to Ekitike, who let it bounce and struck it home on the volley.

But Liverpool’s defensive failings stalked this place, for all the signs of promise, such as the back heeled tee-up by Fabian Wirtz which Ekitike couldn’t convert and the combination between the same two from which the Frenchman volleyed wide. This was a side transparently vulnerable to moments attacking class, like Minteh’s ball, perpendicular to their defence, which sent Diego Gomez through on vigilant Allisson in the first half. And the pass Mats Wieffer ran treacherously across their six-yard box early in the second. Gomez could not connect. Brighton were enterprising and had their moments.

That new contract Salah wanted for last season gave him such motivation that every goal celebration appeared choreographed to say, ‘I am worth it,’ and when he arrived so early, to a low chorus of his ‘running down the wing’ chorus, you wondered whether the events of the past week might have a similar effect here, turning Slot into a master of reverse psychologist.

It didn’t take long to establish how much. He crackled with the electricity of one wanting to be at the front and centre; thirsting for the venom which he has put down somewhere and been unable to locate.

kitike gave Liverpool the perfect start by firing the hosts ahead in the opening minute

Salah was introduced as a substitute in the first half after Joe Gomez was forced off injured

Salah’s introduction came after he had held talks with Liverpool boss Arne Slot on Friday

Diego Gomez passed up two big chances to bring Brighton back level at Anfield

Ekitike sealed Liverpool’s victory by heading in from a Salah corner on the hour mark 

Salah applauded fans at full-time as he prepares to head off to the African Cup of Nations

There was an early pass to Wirtz, whose onward flick to Ekitike couldn’t bring a shot on target, and a gorgeous one-two with Dominic Szoboszlai. But above all that, the energy. There was the old velocity, on a Liverpool counter attack around the hour mark, before a pass of fractional imprecision which did not roll in front of Ekitike and allow him to capitalise. When Ekitike traced a ball to Alexis MacAllister a few moments later, Salah seized it and struck a shot at a saveable height for Bart Verbruggen. And then came the trademark arced Salah corner from which Ekitike, criminally unmarked, rose to head home and seal the contest.

Ekitike was the main man in that moment, as Salah tried without success to speak to him beneath the din. The chemistry with Alexander Isak, who arrived for Ekitike, was not the same. Salah’s pass for Isak on the counter was placed too far ahead of him, though the game was over by then and.

At the end of it all, a Christmas song about ‘love and understanding’ rung round this place and Salah laughed at the sheer, ludicrous unpredictability of it all. When the players went to salute the Kop, he lingered a little longer in the warmth of that moment of mutual respect, listening as their anthem about him rang out all over again.