Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah might face a potential month-long absence from the pitch, as indicated by his agent’s concerning fitness update.
The 31-year-old is set to sit out Egypt’s upcoming matches at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, pending their progression to the knockout rounds.
This setback stems from a muscle injury incurred during Thursday’s 2-2 draw with Ghana.
Following the Group B finale against Cape Verde on Monday night, Salah will return to Merseyside for necessary treatment.
His agent Ramy Abbas Issa posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Mohamed’s injury is more serious than first thought and he will be out for 21-28 days. and not two games. His best chance at participating in the current AFCON is by undergoing intensive rehabilitation in the UK and rejoining the team as soon as he is fit.”
Jurgen Klopp, in his post-match press conference after Liverpool’s impressive 4-0 victory over Bournemouth on Sunday night, disclosed that there is a plan for Salah’s return to the UK to initiate his rehabilitation process.
“That’s the plan. If that’s already decided 100 per cent I don’t know, but that’s the plan,” he said.
“However long he is out, I think probably everybody sees that it makes sense that he is doing the rehab with us or with our people. That’s the plan, but if that’s now written in stone already, I don’t know.”
Klopp added: “[I spoke with him] directly after [the game], pretty much the night it happened. Since then, he’s in contact with our doctor. The doc tells me the news, so I think he will be back.”
“I’m not a doctor. I would say if Egypt qualify for the final and he is fit before the final then probably yes. Why not?
“That’s clear, it’s the tournament. Ivory Coast, I am sure it is a wonderful country, but we have no people from us there and their people have to take care of the players who are playing, so let’s see.”
Meanwhile, the Egyptian Football Association have confirmed Salah will only feature in the tournament again if his nation advance to the semi-finals.
“After additional examinations were conducted on Mohamed Salah during the last hours, and after communication between the national team’s medical staff and his counterpart at Liverpool FC, it was decided that the player will return to England after the Cape Verde match tomorrow to complete his treatment, with the hope that he will join the national team in the semi-final of the AFCON if we qualify,” the FA said in a statement on Sunday.
Mohamed Salah has 18 goals and nine assists in 27 appearances for Liverpool this season.
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