Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, who currently plays for Liverpool, will be returning from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to receive treatment for his muscle injury. Salah’s aim is to recover in time to play in the tournament if Egypt qualifies for the later stages. As a result of his injury, Salah will not be available for Egypt’s final group game against Cape Verde on Monday. It is expected that he will not be fit until at least the semi-final stage, after his premature exit from their previous match against Ghana, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Jurgen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool, suggested that the ideal solution would be for Salah to return to Merseyside and receive treatment from the club’s medical staff. While it was initially unclear whether the Egyptian Football Association shared Klopp’s view, an agreement has now been reached with the hope that Salah will regain his fitness in time to rejoin the tournament if Egypt advances.
Confirming the decision to send Salah back for treatment, the Egyptian FA stated that he will return to England after the Cape Verde game for further rehabilitation in the hope of being available for the semi-finals should Egypt progress. Klopp also expressed his support for the plan during his post-match press conference, stating that it would be beneficial for Salah to undergo rehab with Liverpool or their medical team.
When asked about Salah’s potential participation in the latter stages of the tournament if his injury is resolved, Klopp responded positively, stating that if Egypt reaches the final and Salah is fit, it would make sense for him to play. He added, “That’s clear. Why not?”
The Egyptian FA confirmed on Friday that Salah suffered a muscle injury while representing his country in international duty. The 31-year-old forward was substituted during the first half of the match against Ghana at AFCON. A medical assessment determined that he would miss Egypt’s next two fixtures.
Salah’s injury presents a significant setback for both Egypt and Liverpool. His absence will be keenly felt, given his exceptional talent and influential performances on the field. As the tournament progresses, the hope remains that Salah will recover in time to contribute to Egypt’s campaign if they reach the later stages.