Mohamed Salah’s AFCON injury ‘more serious than first thought’ in huge blow to Liverpool | Football | Sport
Liverpool have suffered a huge blow as Mohamed Salah’s agent Ramy Abbas has confirmed that his injury is “more serious than first thought.” Salah injured his hamstring during Egypt’s 2-2 draw with Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations last Thursday.
“The injury is more serious than first thought”, Abbas said. “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.”
Salah bagged a goal and an assist in Egypt’s opening game of the Africa Cup of Nations as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Mozambique. The 31-year-old was then substituted against Ghana at half time, with his side twice fighting back to secure a share of the spoils.
Egypt, who lost in the Africa Cup of Nations final to Senegal in 2021, are second in Group B and will book their place in the round of 16 if they defeat table toppers Cape Verde in their final group match. The Pharaohs will be aiming to go one better this time around with the final scheduled for Sunday, February 11.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was asked about Salah’s injury following his side’s 4-0 Premier League victory over Bournemouth on Sunday. And the German explained: “However long he’s out, probably everybody sees it like this, it makes sense that he’s doing the rehab with us or with our people. If that’s written in stone already, I don’t know.
“I spoke with him directly after, the night when it happened. Since then he’s in contact with our doctor. I think he will be back.”
And the Egyptian FA then released a statement that read: “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.”
Salah was quizzed on his hamstring problem during a press conference ahead of his country’s final group game but was unable to offer any sort of update as he stated: “My injury is still there but the most important thing now is to speak about the game. Our primary goal is to secure qualification for the next round, with skilled players, a good coach and a clear vision.”