Former Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino appears to be resuming his peacemaking duties with a straightforward message regarding the Mohamed Salah situation. The Egyptian star’s Anfield future hangs in the balance following his public criticism of the club and boss Arne Slot last weekend.

Salah’s explosive interview after the 3-3 stalemate with Leeds United resulted in him being omitted from Liverpool’s travelling party for Tuesday evening’s Champions League encounter against Inter. However, he’s set to return to the squad for this weekend’s fixture against Brighton following discussions with Slot.

Speaking before the match, Slot confirmed he was planning to hold a ‘conversation’ with Salah about the matter – something Firmino evidently endorsed, responding to the news with clapping, red heart and praying emojis on Instagram.

The Brazilian spent eight seasons at Liverpool, and by his own admission, much of that period involved mediating between Salah and Sadio Mané. In an excerpt from his autobiography two years ago, Firmino, who operated between the pair of wingers, disclosed aspects of his role under Jurgen Klopp that made the three-man attack so effective.

“They were never best friends; each kept himself to himself,” he revealed in the extract published by the Guardian. “It was rare to see the two of them talking and I’m not sure if that had to do with the Egypt–Senegal rivalry in African competitions.

“I truly don’t know. But they also never stopped talking, never severed ties. They always acted with the utmost professionalism.

“I never took sides. That’s why they love me: I always passed the ball to both; my preference was for the team’s victory.

“Many focus on what I brought to the attacking trio in tactical terms, but perhaps just as important was the human element: my role as peacemaker, unifier. If I didn’t do that, it would be nothing but storms between the two of them on the field.”

The strained relationship between Salah and Mane was acknowledged by Klopp. “Were they best friends? No,” he said, via BBC Sport.

“Could Mo have passed the ball a few times when he tried to finish it off himself? Yes. But on the pitch they supported each other, they fought for each other.”

It appears that Firmino’s efforts in calming the tensions proved priceless to Klopp. He could now be doing the same for Slot, despite being far removed from the club this time around. The mood may well have changed at Liverpool, with Salah now set to be in the squad for the club’s match against Brighton on Saturday.