As Liverpool fans will know, 31 year old talisman, Mohamed Salah, had travelled out for Egyptian duty at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament, but he was substituted in last Thursday’s clash with Ghana after sustaining what appeared to be a hamstring issue.
Fans were probably a little bit more concerned when he was then watching from the stands for their 2-2 draw with Cape Verde on Monday, and now Pep Lijnders (assistant manager at the Anfield outfit and current Premier League leaders) has confirmed that Salah has sustained a ‘proper tear in his hamstring’ and is now set to return to Merseyside at some point on Wednesday for treatment and rehabilitation.
Although Lijnders confirmed that the injury was unfortunately ‘worse than first feared’, if his recovery goes smoothly and properly to plan, it is expected that Salah could return to action within the next three to four weeks, and if things go perfectly, he could actually return to the Egyptian camp for the latter part of the tournament – depending on how they progress in his absence.
“It’s expected that he will return in three to four weeks if everything goes smooth. It will go smooth and it will go right because of how we’ve treated his body before.”
On Sunday, manager Jurgen Klopp stated that he felt it ‘makes sense’ for Salah to return to the club for treatment as it would give him the best chance of a more speedy recovery, and open up the option of an international return, and Lijnders went on to restate how well he felt the club and international side were cooperating when it came to Salah’s health and fitness.
“I always said before what I’m really happy about is the medical team of Egypt and the medical team of Liverpool really worked together and were in close contact and both made this decision. It’s an example of how international football and club football should operate to put the player in the centre.”
Given some of the stories and spats we hear about, it is quite fresh to hear both parties are working together for mutual best interests, and there are maybe some in the wider world of football who could learn a thing or two from this example.
Liverpool’s assistant gaffer went on to say that the decision for the player to return was made with the sole intention of trying to best ensure he could be fit for his country if they make this year’s final, as the player is determined to build on their two runners up positions in 2017 and 2021, and actually lift the trophy before he ultimately looks towards international retirement to eek out a few more years of his professional club career.