Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has offered some encouragement regarding Mohamed Salah’s injury, saying a quick return is far from impossible.
There is concern that Salah has played his final game for the Reds, having limped out of the 3-1 win at home to Crystal Palace with a hamstring issue on Saturday.
The severity of the 33-year-old’s injury isn’t yet known, but the hope is that he is at least fit for the visit of Brentford on the final day of the season, as a worst-case scenario.
Now, in quotes provided by The Independent, Van Dijk has suggested that Salah could be back in a week, given his level of fitness, but equally, it is too difficult to predict.
“There will be a medical assessment and then that will determine what the issue is going to be. I know he is doing everything in his power to be back on the pitch as soon as possible,” Van Dijk said.
“If you get injured at this stage of the season, especially in the situation he is in [when] there is only two more home games left for him, it’s a combination of feelings that go through your mind when you go offm” Van Dijk said.
“The reality is he has to get scanned and assessed. Hopefully he won’t be long but at this point I don’t know. Maybe he’s back next week, maybe not. I have no idea. He will get the send-off regardless.
“I don’t think that is the thing at this point; we shouldn’t think too far ahead. Knowing Mo, he is a quick healer with the right people around us, and let’s see.”
Mo Salah’s injury history can only be a benefit
Seeing Salah not play for Liverpool again would be so hard to take, but the fact that he has suffered so few injuries throughout his career can only aid the speed of his comeback.
He is an older player now, though, so recovery time can be longer, and Reds supporters will be sweating about not being able to witness one of the true Reds greats in action again.
It certainly feels as though Salah won’t feature away to Manchester United on Sunday, and at home to Chelsea the following weekend (May 9th). The trip to Aston Villa on May 17th may also be a struggle.
But frankly, all Liverpool fans will want is to see him on the pitch against Brentford on May 24th, where he can hopefully enjoy a memorable and goalscoring goodbye.
