Van Dijk says Liverpool ‘go forward as one’ as Salah rejoins squad

December 16, 2025 Oliver Obel

Liverpool’s 2–0 win over Brighton might look straightforward on paper, but it arrived at the end of a week filled with tension, speculation, and a rare public flash of frustration from Mohamed Salah.

His brief appearance at Anfield greeted with a warm buzz from the crowd as he came off the bench helped steady a conversation that had been swirling since the draw with Leeds.

Salah had said he felt “thrown under the bus” after that match, a comment that surprised many given his typically measured public tone. According to BBC reporting, he met with manager Arne Slot following his omission from Liverpool’s Champions League victory at Inter Milan.

The discussions smoothed the situation enough for him to rejoin the squad on Saturday, where he supplied an assist in the closing stages.

Van Dijk’s milestone and message

Captain Virgil van Dijk, who made his 250th Premier League appearance for the club, said the squad had handled the moment collectively.

“We showed this week that we are absolutely united. We go forward as one,” he told BBC Sport.

Salah will leave on Monday to join Egypt ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, meaning Liverpool could be without him until mid-January if Egypt reach the final. Van Dijk said the team wished him success but acknowledged the practical uncertainty around what happens next.

“He is one of my leaders and still very important for the football club. But there’s more parties to this situation,” he said.

The defender’s comments reflected a broader truth: even moments of turbulence hinge not just on a manager and player but on agents, federation commitments, and timing within a congested season.

Slot’s influence as pressure builds

What has helped Liverpool navigate the past week, players say, is Slot’s calmness. The club has gone five matches unbeaten since losing to PSV in the Champions League, yet outside criticism has still been sharp due to inconsistent performances. Van Dijk said that scrutiny was fair but credited Slot with keeping internal discussions measured.

“I think he has handled the situation very well – calm in his own way and it’s a very tricky situation,” he told the BBC.

Anyone around Liverpool long enough will know that unity is one of the club’s recurring touchstones. Van Dijk said difficult spells tend to reveal how deep that culture runs among players, staff, and supporters alike.

“It’s a good moment to see how everyone responds,” he said, noting that the past few days have tested the group more than the final scoreline suggests.

What comes next

Salah’s cameo offered reassurance, but it also underscores a looming challenge: Liverpool must soon operate without their most decisive attacker. Slot will have to recalibrate his forward line, and the next month may offer a clearer picture of how resilient this squad truly is. For now, though, the message from manager, captain, and team is unmistakable: whatever comes, they intend to face it together.

Sources: BBC