Jurgen Klopp has spoken for the first time about the injury suffered by Mohamed Salah on Africa Cup of Nations duty, providing an update on the situation.
The Reds have suffered a big fitness scare to arguably their most important player, with Salah forced off the field in Egypt’s 2-2 draw with Ghana on Thursday evening.
Liverpool’s legendary No.11 suffered a hamstring issue during the game, and it is only natural that supporters have been left concerned by the news.
Speaking in his pre-Bournemouth press conference on Friday morning [via This Is Anfield], Klopp spoke about the situation surrounding Salah:
“We don’t know anything, I spoke last night with him. How it is with injuries, we need further assessment, that’s what they are doing. Then we will know more.
“Of course, in that moment, it was a shock. He felt it, and we all know how rarely Mo goes off or needs to go off, so there’s definitely something. We will see. I do not have more information now.”
Our thoughts on Salah’s injury latest…
It goes without saying that the severity of Salah’s injury has the potential to define the rest of Liverpool’s season, considering he is one of the greatest players to have ever represented the club.
The 31-year-old’s endless goals and assists are going to be so important as the Reds look to match Manchester City in the Premier League title race, not to mention the winning mentality and professionalism that he has in his armoury.
Hopefully, Salah was taken off as more of a precaution than anything, but Klopp will be sweating over his player aggravating the issue moving forward, at a time when Liverpool need him to be fit and firing upon his return.
On the plus side, the Egyptian legend’s fitness record has been almost impeccable in the past, which suggests he could make a speedy return, but it is a worrying situation nonetheless.
For now, it is a case of Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo filling the void left by Salah, starting away to Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon, in what feels like a hugely important game in the title battle.
