Mohamed Salah injured his hamstring in Egypt’s draw against Ghana on Thursday and it has been announced he will return to Liverpool for treatment.
Jurgen Klopp made the surprise announcement on Sunday following Liverpool’s 4-0 win at Bournemouth, with Salah to return to his club side on Monday (January 22) evening and then if Egypt make the AFCON semifinals he will return to the tournament to led the Pharaohs.
Another update has since arrived with Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas, saying that the Egyptian will be out until at least mid-February: “The injury is more serious than first thought. He will be out for 21-28 days. 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.”
What is the latest update?
Liverpool’s assistant coach, Pep Lijnders, said the following as he took over media duties ahead of their League Cup semifinal second leg tie at Fulham on Wednesday.
“It’s a proper tear in his hamstring so it’s expected [he will] return in three to four weeks if everything goes smooth,” Lijnders said. “It will go smooth and it will go right because of how we’ve treated his body before... I always said before what I’m really happy about is the medical team of Egypt and the medical team of Liverpool really worked together and were in close contact and both made this decision. It’s an example of how international football and club football should operate to put the player in the center.”
In a statement, the Egyptian FA said the following about Salah’s injury:
“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.”
What is going on with Salah and Egypt?
Salah left the Egyptian camp after they drew 2-2 in their final Group B game against Cape Verde as chaotic late drama across both Group B finales saw them qualify for the last 16.
Egypt have drawn all three group stage games against Mozambique, Ghana and Cape Verde and have underwhelmed at the tournament. So far. Salah scored the 97th-minute equalizer from the penalty spot in their comeback 2-2 draw in their opening game against Mozambique and was then subbed off with an injury against Ghana.
They are likely to face DR Congo in the last 16 and if they win that there’s a potential clash with Nigeria in the quarterfinals.
So, if Egypt navigate a couple of wins without their star man, Salah will fly back to the tournament and represent his country, perhaps from the semifinal stage onwards. Egypt’s potential semifinal will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 7 so given the last updates about him being out for three or four weeks, that seems unlikely.
When can Mohamed Salah play for Liverpool again?
What we do know is that Salah will only be available to play for Liverpool again either after the AFCON final on Feb. 11 (if Egypt make it) or if Egypt are get knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations before that.
If Egypt are knocked out, Salah can then play for Liverpool right away. Of course, he is now expected to be out for the next couple of weeks, at least, but he could return sooner if his recovery goes better than planned and Jurgen Klopp could have him available for the huge game against Arsenal (Feb. 4) if Salah recovers quickly and Egypt are no longer in AFCON.
The main thing to remember: as long as Egypt remain in the tournament, Salah cannot play for Liverpool as clubs agree to release their players for as long as their players’ country are in the competition.
