Midfielder Curtis Jones confirmed that Mohamed Salah had a frank discussion with his Liverpool teammates, offering an apology for his recent controversial statements. Jones told Sky Sports, "Salah is someone with strong opinions. He apologized to the whole team, saying, 'If I upset or affected anyone in any way, I apologize.' That's just Salah's character." Meanwhile, coach Arne Slot declined to confirm if he received a direct apology from Salah. The Dutch manager stated he preferred not to comment further on the matter to avoid distractions, especially as Salah had already joined the Egypt national team for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Salah's frustration stemmed from being benched for three consecutive Premier League matches. Following a 3-3 draw against Leeds United, he publicly stated he felt unfairly treated and that his relationship with Slot had deteriorated. He also suggested the Brighton match might be a farewell to Liverpool fans before his AFCON departure. The 33-year-old forward asserted his right to a starting position after eight exceptional seasons at Anfield. Jones defended Salah's desire to play, noting, "I would be more concerned if a player was content with being on the bench and didn't want to play to help the team. There are many ways to express it, but the desire to compete is never a bad thing."

The English midfielder added that Salah maintained a positive demeanor after the incident. "He's still the same, always smiling, and everyone in the team treats him that way," Jones said. "I think it's simply part of the desire to win." Jones believes his senior teammate's comments were not intended to destabilize the squad. "When there's anger, even from me, it always comes from wanting the best for the team," he explained. "Perhaps the timing wasn't right, but nobody wants to harm the collective. We've moved past that phase, we're united, playing better, and starting to win."

Mohamed Salah acknowledges fans after Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Brighton at Anfield, Liverpool, United Kingdom on 13/12. *Liverpool FC*

Coach Arne Slot confirmed that Liverpool has put the controversy surrounding Salah behind them. "As I've said before, actions speak louder than words," the Dutch manager stated. "We have moved on. He returned to the squad, was my first substitution, and will now focus on AFCON." Salah made his return in the 2-0 victory over Brighton, coming on as a substitute before departing for AFCON. This result extended Liverpool's unbeaten streak to five matches across all competitions.

Salah and Jones celebrate a Liverpool goal against Lille in the Champions League last season. *AP*

Today, Liverpool will visit Tottenham for matchday 17 of the Premier League. Coach Slot noted that the team is improving in both fitness and form. He expressed hope that Dominik Szoboszlai would return from an ankle injury, while Cody Gakpo and Joe Gomez remain unavailable.