Mohamed Salah will miss Liverpool FC’s trip to Brighton on Saturday due to a muscle injury, dealing a significant blow to manager Arne Slot as the club pushes for a Champions League place.
The Egyptian forward was forced off at Anfield on Wednesday after scoring in Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Galatasaray, a result that secured their place in the quarter-finals of this season’s UEFA Champions League.
Salah, 33, had been in strong form, scoring in three of his last four starts following a brief dip.
“It’s unusual,” Slot said at his pre-match press conference on Friday. “As a result of that, you can expect the outcome, he’s not available for tomorrow.”
The Liverpool boss did not provide a definitive timeline for Salah’s return but expressed optimism that the forward could recover quickly.
“The good thing for us is that we’re heading into an international break,” Slot said. “The bad thing for Egypt is that he can’t join them. But given how well he looks after his body, history shows he may return sooner than expected.”
Despite his recent resurgence, Salah has scored just five Premier League goals this season, a stark contrast to the 29 he netted during Liverpool’s 2024/25 title-winning campaign.
Slot also admitted his side have struggled to convert chances, following a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur last week.
“We’re struggling to score goals,” the Dutchman said. “Not that we don’t create chances, but it’s surprising we’re not converting more, given the quality we have.”
Liverpool currently sit fifth in the Premier League, two points behind Aston Villa in fourth, with a top-five finish likely enough to secure Champions League qualification.
The Reds also face Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals on April 4 and will take on defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last eight.
AFP
