Salah injury latest as Egypt lose Liverpool star with huge AFCON blow confirmed

19 January 2024 , 21:45

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Egypt's Mohamed Salah suffered an injury during the first half against Ghana (Image: AP)

Mohamed Salah is set to miss at least the next two matches for Egypt after suffering an injury during their Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

The grim fitness news was confirmed by the Egypt FA, who released a social media update that read: " Mohamed Salah suffers a strain in his back muscle and will miss two matches in the African Nations.

"The x-rays that Mohamed Salah, the captain of the Egyptian national team, underwent, showed that he suffered a strain in the posterior muscle, and he will miss the team’s next two matches in the African Nations against Cape Verde, and then the round of 16 match in the event of qualification."

Egypt currently sit second in their group and as the statement explains, there is no guarantee that Salah's side will progress to the knockout rounds of the competition. It has been a drastically underwhelming tournament so far that has seen them draw both of their opening games.

Salah had to spare Egypt's blushes in their first game against 111th ranked outfit Mozambique, who were winning 2-1 until the 97th minute of the game. They were minutes away from one of AFCON's biggest ever shocks, until the Liverpool forward stepped up from the penalty spot to equalise right at the death.

Jurgen Klopp defends Mohamed Salah and explains Liverpool scoring drought

Salah sustained the injury during the 2-2 draw with Ghana in game two, after which Egypt manager Rui Vitoria was hopeful regarding his star striker's fitness. He explained: "We don't know yet what is the problem.

"I hope it is not a big problem. Now, I don't know because it is early to see something. I think it is not dangerous but let's see if Salah recovers."

HAVE YOUR SAY! How costly could Salah's injury be to Liverpool's title charge? Comment below

Mohamed Salah was forced off during the first-half of Egypt's game against Ghana (AFP via Getty Images)

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is believed to have spoke with Salah overnight and the club could send over their medical team to work with the player depending on his diagnosis.

Klopp was asked about his top goalscorer during his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to Bournemouth on Sunday. He told reporters: "We don't know anything. "I spoke with him last night. These injuries need further assessment. In the moment it was a shock.

"He felt it. We know how rarely Mo goes off so there is definitely something. We will see. It depends on the diagnosis. They'll do ultrasound and MRI and we will see."

Josh O'Brien