Liverpool Forward Forced Off in AFCON Clash, Leaving Egypt Boss Rui Vitoria Concerned About Extent of Injury
Egypt’s national team faced a setback in the Africa Cup of Nations as Liverpool star Mohamed Salah was forced off the pitch during their draw against Ghana. The injury occurred on the stroke of half-time, leaving Egypt manager Rui Vitoria uncertain about the severity of Salah’s condition.
Salah, a key player for both Liverpool and Egypt, was substituted after signaling to the bench that he couldn’t continue. The forward clutched the back of his left thigh as he left the field, raising concerns about his availability for future matches.
100% his left hamstring, I'd say it's a good thing he got up and walked off but so did Van Dijk after his ACL was removed from his skeleton pic.twitter.com/adFDkC6G1T https://t.co/5VLvHSU9XQ
— Jürgen (@Jurgegenpress2) January 18, 2024
Egypt needed to secure at least a draw against Ghana to keep their hopes alive in the tournament, but they settled for a 2-2 draw in Salah’s absence. The Pharaohs face Cape Verde in their final group stage match on Monday, and Salah’s participation remains uncertain.
Speaking after the match, Vitoria expressed hope that Salah’s injury wouldn’t be a significant problem but admitted that it was too early to determine the extent of the issue. “I hope it’s not a big problem, but it was a problem in the first half. It’s early to see something. I think it’s not dangerous, but let’s see if Salah recovers,” said Vitoria.
Ghana capitalized on Salah’s absence, scoring within a minute of his departure to take a half-time lead. Mohammed Kudus found the back of the net, and West Ham forward Kudus doubled his tally in the second half. Despite goals from Egypt’s Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed, the match ended in a draw.
Salah’s potential absence is a major concern for Liverpool, as he has played a pivotal role in the team’s success across competitions. With a combined total of 27 goals and assists, Salah’s contributions have been vital for Liverpool’s strong position in various tournaments.
The 31-year-old forward has already missed matches against Arsenal and Fulham due to his international commitments. If Egypt reaches the AFCON final, scheduled for February 10, Salah could be unavailable for another five games, posing a significant challenge for Liverpool’s ongoing campaigns. The club will anxiously await updates on Salah’s condition as he returns to Merseyside after the tournament.
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