Dec 14 (Reuters) - Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk stressed Mohamed Salah's importance after the2-0 Premier League win over Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on Saturday, adding that he was hopeful the Egyptian would stay at the club after the Africa Cup of Nations.
Salah returned to Liverpool's squad on Saturday following a turbulent week after the forward's scathing criticism of the club raised uncertainty over his future on Merseyside.
The 33-year-old replaced the injured Joe Gomez in the 26th minute to the delight of fans who welcomed him with a standing ovation and made an assist for Hugo Ekitike's second goal.
"Mo is going to AFCON and we all hope he'll be successful there and he'll come back and be important for us for the rest of the season," Van Dijk told reporters after Saturday's match.
"The other side of it is that we all know football and we have no idea what is going to happen.
"I hope that he stays because he is one of my leaders and still very important for the football club.
"But there's more parties to this situation."
Salah had accused the club of throwing him "under the bus" and claimed his relationship with Slot had broken down in a fiery outburst after last weekend's 3-3 draw at Leeds United.
He will now join Egypt's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, which runs until January 18.
Liverpool next visit Tottenham Hotspur on December 20.
(Reporting by Karan Prashant Saxena in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris)
