Ekitike nets fastest goal as Salah makes Liverpool return

Hugo Ekitike scored the fastest goal of the Premier League season thus far before Mo Salah was introduced against Brighton on Saturday afternoon. 

The French striker fired the ball in just 51 seconds after the game kicked off at Anfield to give the Reds an early lead.

The goal beats the previous quickest goal of the campaign, scored by Newcastle United’s Malick Thiaw against Everton last month, by a mere four seconds.

Ekitike is one of very few summer signings to have worked out for Liverpool this year, having netted nine goals in all competitions to date.

Salah, meanwhile, was unexpectedly introduced in the 26th minute following an injury to Joe Gomez. The defender picked up a knock, forcing Arne Slot into an early change as Dominik Szoboszlai moved to right-back to accommodate the Egyptian winger.

The 33-year had been left out of the matchday squad for Tuesday’s 1-0 win at Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League following his explosive comments at the weekend.

Salah expressed his dissatisfaction at being named on the bench for the third time in a row after Liverpool drew 3-3 with Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday. He complained that he had been made a scapegoat for the team’s problems and revealed that his relationship with the manager was non-existent.

The forward was reintroduced to the squad against Brighton following crunch talks with Slot on Friday and was lively in the first half when he came.

Speculation over his future remains, with Saudi Pro League clubs reportedly interested in signing him in the January transfer window. If Salah were to leave in the winter, then this could be his final appearance for Liverpool as he jets off next week to play for Egypt at AFCON.

Read – Slot says Liverpool ‘cannot accept’ Salah accusations amid standoff

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