Liverpool news: Mo Salah's dressing room message as Virgil van Dijk admits transfer stance

The Liverpool dressing room have been left in no doubt about Mohamed Salah's intentions

Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk have been Liverpool's best players for close to a decade (Image: Getty Images)

Mohamed Salah made sure to soak up Anfield's love before jetting off to compete in the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt. The 33-year-old made his return to Arne Slot's Liverpool team in their 2-0 win against Brighton on Saturday, as he came on in the 26th minute for the injured Joe Gomez.

It was a positive showing from the winger, whose assist for Hugo Ekitike's second goal saw him overtake Wayne Rooney's record of the most single-club goal involvements in the Premier League with 277 (188 goals and 89 assists).

Salah's future at Liverpool was plunged into question after claiming the club has tried to scapegoat him for their struggles this season and stating he has no relationship with Slot. While a return to the matchday squad is a step in the right direction, it remains to be seen whether he returns from international duty next month a Liverpool player.

Comments from the Egyptian have been clarified by one of his team-mates while Virgil van Dijk has made clear his opinion on a potential transfer, as Mirror Football takes a look at the latest surrounding the reigning Premier League champions.

Mo Salah message

The Egyptian has received considerable public support from his team-mates following his comments after the 3-3 draw against Leeds United. A bombshell that unexpected and from one of the world's leading players could have had irreversible damage on the Reds squad, but they've bounced back in the best way possible.

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A 1-0 away victory against Inter Milan was followed with the win at home against Brighton, with Salah putting in an impressive performance after his first-half introduction. With his absence set to rule him out for a number of games due to AFCON, it was Curtis Jones who made it clear after the victory against the Seagulls that the forward had clarified his comments came from a personal place and were not aimed at any of his team-mates.

Speaking to Viaplay, Jones said: "We all love Mo. I love Mo. At my hardest times at the club, you know, he was always one of the ones who was there. I could always speak to (him). And it’s exactly the same now.

Curtis Jones opened up about Mo Salah's comments about his situation at Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)

"Mo’s his own man, he’s got his own opinions. And, you know, I don’t think his intentions were to affect the team or anything like that. It was just a personal thing. And as everybody knows, the team, the fans, the staff, we all love Mo. He’s a great guy.

"I don’t really like to speak on another man’s issues or his business and stuff - that has to do with Mo. But at the end of the day, I think the important thing that Mo made clear was that it’s not against the team or anything like that, just a personal issue, and that’s it."

Van Dijk confession

Van Dijk didn't leave anything to be questioned regarding his stance on Salah's Anfield future, with the Dutchman admitting he wants the winger to remain at the club. The Reds skipper said after Saturday's victory that he has been in constant conversation with his long-time team-mate throughout the past week.

The 34-year-old said: "I speak to him about everything. I told him I want him to stay. I would love to have him around as he is one of the leaders, but the fact is he is going to AFCON. We will be in contact over the next days and weeks like we always are and let's see.

Virgil van Dijk said he wants to continue sharing a dressing room with Mo Salah (Image: Liverpool FC, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

"I wish him absolutely all the best - and (to) come back. Hopefully. I have no control over that. We hope he will be absolutely successful there and we all hope he will be coming back to be important for the rest of the season.

"But, on the other side of it, we all know football and have no idea what is going to happen. He is very important - and still (is) as you see with another assist - to the football club, but there are more parties to this situation."