Jürgen Klopp has provided a status report on the muscle injury suffered by Mohamed Salah in Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations match against Ghana last Thursday.
Salah had to leave the field during the initial half of the 2-2 draw, and a statement released by Egypt on Friday night indicated that he is likely to be absent for their upcoming two matches, contingent on their advancement to the knockout stage in Ivory Coast.
During his post-match press conference after Liverpool’s 4-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth, Klopp was asked about the potential return of Salah to Merseyside. He responded: That’s the plan. If that’s already decided 100 per cent I don’t know, but that’s the plan.
“However long he is out, I think probably everybody sees that it makes sense that he is doing the rehab with us or with our people. That’s the plan, but if that’s now written in stone already, I don’t know.”
Klopp added: “[I spoke with him] directly after [the game], pretty much the night it happened. Since then, he’s in contact with our doctor. The doc tells me the news, so I think he will be back.”
On whether Salah could feature again for Egypt during AFCON, the manager said: “I’m not a doctor. I would say if Egypt qualify for the final and he is fit before the final then probably yes. Why not?
“That’s clear, it’s the tournament. Ivory Coast, I am sure it is a wonderful country, but we have no people from us there and their people have to take care of the players who are playing, so let’s see.”
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