Mohamed Salah potentially ruled out of AFCON 2023 as muscle injury diagnosis causes Liverpool concern

Egypt captain Mohamed Salah | Imago

Mohamed Salah potentially ruled out of AFCON 2023 as muscle injury diagnosis causes Liverpool concern

Ayoola Kelechi 17:50 - 20.01.2024

Egypt's Mohamed Salah may not feature at the AFCON 2023 tournament if the Pharaohs do not progress far enough in the competition

Mohamed Salah, the Liverpool forward and Egyptian national team captain, is set to miss two critical matches in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) due to a muscle injury.

This news comes as a significant setback for Egypt's campaign in the tournament, as well as a worrying scenario for Liverpool.

Salah Injury details

Salah was substituted before the half-time break during Egypt's match against Ghana, which ended in a 2-2 draw. The nature of his injury was initially a cause for concern, with speculations about a hamstring issue.

Mohamed Salah on the bench against Ghana | Imago
Mohamed Salah on the bench against Ghana | Imago

However, it has been confirmed by the Egypt Football Federation that Salah has suffered a strain in his back muscle. This clarification has provided some relief, as a back muscle strain is generally perceived as less severe than a hamstring injury.

Salah’s Impact for Egypt in the AFCON

The injury rules Salah out of Egypt's final group game and a potential last-16 game, should Egypt qualify.

Mohamed Salah of Egypt | Credit: IMAGO
Mohamed Salah of Egypt | Credit: IMAGO

This situation places Egypt in a challenging position, as they face a must-win scenario against Cape Verde to secure their progression in the tournament. Salah's absence will be keenly felt, given his influential role in the team and his status as one of the world's premier football talents.

Liverpool and Salah's Return

For Liverpool, the injury to their star player is a concerning development, especially considering their ongoing pursuits in domestic and European competitions. Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has been in communication with Salah and is awaiting further updates on the extent of the injury.

Mo Salah in action for Liverpool in a league game || Photo Credit: Imago
Mo Salah in action for Liverpool in a league game || Photo Credit: Imago

The hope is that Salah will be able to return to action quickly, potentially being available for Liverpool's upcoming fixtures, depending on Egypt's progress in AFCON and his recovery.

The injury to Mohamed Salah is a significant moment in both Liverpool's season and Egypt's AFCON campaign. The extent of his injury and the impact on both his club and the national team will be closely monitored in the coming days.

Related content