The worst thing that could have happened for Liverpool fans this month happened last night.
With praise coming in from Cesc Fabregas yesterday about Mohamed Salah’s robust fitness record, it was almost inevitable. Yes, Salah has been injured playing for Egypt at AFCON.
The 31-year-old went down just before half-time with what appears to be a hamstring issue. Given that Salah will usually play on through just about anything, his subsequent withdrawal is a huge worry for Liverpool. And speaking to ESPN this morning, pundit Craig Burley claimed that the real concern is that Egypt could now exacerbate the injury
“I think one of the big concerns is not just what’s the length of the injury, is it a few days, is it weeks but are Egypt going to risk playing him and making it worse,” Burley questioned. “Because it’s a big tournament for them, they’re not too fussed about how Liverpool do in the Premier League, they’re concerned about how they do in this African Cup of Nations and they’re going to try and take some chances with Mo Salah. That’s the big concern for Liverpool going forward.
“When you’re in that scenario as a player, although I’m sure he loves Liverpool, he’s been a great servant to them and they’ve been great to him, he has a fantastic rapport with the supporters, but at this moment in time they’re in the back of his mind because it’s such a a big tournament for that part of the world that he’s thinking about his country and how important it is for them.
“[He’ll be thinking] ‘I can feel it but I’m going to take a chance.’ That’s a players mentality. It’s difficult to go to such a major tournament and say ‘I don’t know, I’m going to think about my club.’ Generally players don’t think that way.”
Liverpool waiting on Salah update
After the game – which finished in a 2-2 draw with Ghana – Egypt boss Rui Vitoria did address Salah’s issue.
“Of course, we are worried and we hope it is not too serious,” he said via The National. “We don’t know yet what is the problem. I hope not a big problem. It is too early to say something.”
Given how well Salah looks after his body, the hope will be that he was able to feel something and take a precaution before it became serious.
However, having said that, Burley’s point here is a good one. We’ve seen in the past how determined Salah is to make sure he is able to turn out for his country.
After his Sergio Ramos inflicted dislocated shoulder ahead of the World Cup in 2018, Mo probably should have sat the tournament out. But having worked so hard to get them there, that was never going to happen. So, a half-fit Salah turned up in Russia and never really looked right.
With a shoulder issue, he could probably just about get away with that. But there’s no hiding if his problem is hamstring related.
Although Egypt won’t necessarily be all that bothered if they can nurse him through, Liverpool will have a big problem with that. It’s the club who pay Salah’s wages after all. They should be a part of the conversation of whether he can continue on duty.
With Egypt drawing their first two games of the tournament, there’s a chance they may exit at the group stage anyway. Not to be cynical, but there’ll be a few on Merseyside hoping for that to happen. Mo is the priority now and it’s imperative that the next steps are taken with his long-term fitness in mind.
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