Mohamed Salah will miss Liverpool FC’s trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday due to a muscle injury, dealing a setback to manager Arne Slot as the club pushes for a Champions League spot next season.
The Egyptian forward was forced off at Anfield on Wednesday after finding the net in Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Galatasaray, a result that secured their place in the quarter-finals of this season’s Champions League.
Salah, 33, had been in fine form, scoring in three of his last four starts following a brief dip in performance.
“It’s unusual,” Slot said during his pre-match press conference on Friday. “As a result of that I think you can expect the outcome. So, (he’s) not available for tomorrow.”
Slot did not provide a clear timeline for Salah’s return.
“The good thing for Liverpool and for us is that we go to an international break,” he said.
“The bad thing for Egypt is that he can’t go there.
“We are hoping also with what Mo has shown in the past that he can recover faster than other players might in similar situations because he takes such good care of his body. History has shown that he can be earlier back than some others.
“But it’s only two weeks until we go again so let’s hope in that period of time he can be back.”
Reigning champions Liverpool are currently fifth in the Premier League, two points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, with the top five sides expected to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
They are also set to face Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals on April 4.
