Mohamed Salah will miss Liverpool FC’s Premier League trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday due to a muscle injury, dealing a setback to manager Arne Slot in his push for a top-four finish and UEFA Champions League qualification.
The Egyptian forward was substituted during Wednesday’s clash at Anfield after finding the net in Liverpool’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Galatasaray, a result that sealed their place in the quarter-finals of this season’s Champions League.
Salah, 33, had been regaining form, scoring in three of his last four starts following a quieter run in front of goal.
“It’s unusual,” Slot said at 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.”
The Liverpool boss did not provide a definite timeline for the forward’s return but remains hopeful the upcoming international break will aid his recovery.
“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.”
The reigning champions currently sit fifth in the Premier League standings, two points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa, with the top five positions likely to secure Champions League qualification.
Liverpool will next turn their attention to a crucial FA Cup quarter-finals tie against Manchester City on April 4.
