Liverpool has disclosed that Mohamed Salah’s leg injury from the Africa Cup of Nations is ‘more severe than initially anticipated.’ Nonetheless, Egypt maintains optimism about his potential return for a potential semi-final.
Salah sustained an injury during Egypt’s 2-2 draw with Ghana in Group B on Thursday.
Despite his absence, Egypt advanced to the knockout stage on Monday after a thrilling 2-2 draw against Cape Verde, with Salah observing from the stands.
Liverpool announced that the 31-year-old will commence an intensive rehabilitation program upon his return on Wednesday.
The club acknowledged that Salah’s injury is more severe than initially anticipated, but they are committed to his prompt recovery, aiming for his swift return to action for both club and country. This strategy is designed to provide him with the best chance of participating in Afcon, should Egypt continue to progress in the tournament.
“It makes sense that he’s doing the rehab with us,” said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on Sunday, before Salah’s return was confirmed.
The Egyptian football association had initially said on Friday that Salah would only feature in the tournament again if his nation advance to a quarter-final on 2 or 3 February.
Klopp added: “I would say if Egypt qualifies for the final, if he’s fit before the final, then probably yes.”
However, Salah’s agent Ramy Abbas Issa subsequently appeared to cast doubt on the forward’s chances of taking any further part in this year’s Afcon.
“Mohammed’s injury is more serious than first thought and he will be out for 21-28 days, and not two games,” he posted on X, formerly Twitter.
“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.”
If Salah were to be sidelined for 21 days from the day of his injury, he wouldn’t be eligible to return until 8 February, just three days before the Afcon final.
Klopp indicated on Friday that Salah’s hamstring issue could be substantial, considering the player had only missed 10 league games for the Reds in over six seasons.
“He was shocked and couldn’t see why he was hit by something so intense,” said the German.
“You have these hamstring injuries in a different way. He felt it and we know how rarely Mo goes off, or needs to go off, so it is definitely something.”
Egypt secured their seventh Cup of Nations title in 2010, a year before Salah’s international debut. In the 2017 and 2021 editions, Egypt finished as runners-up.
Salah played a crucial role in the recent tournament by scoring a late penalty last Sunday, ensuring a 2-2 draw with Mozambique and avoiding an embarrassing opening defeat.
Despite the setbacks, Salah remains confident that he will clinch an Afcon title ‘sooner or later.’
“I would love to win it, absolutely,” he said. “It will happen somehow – that is what I believe. Whatever I believe, I achieve – so sooner or later, it will happen.
“I have won everything possible but this one, not yet. Everybody knows what it means to any player to win an Africa Cup.”