It was the one thing we didn't want to happen.
Just before the stroke of half-time in Egypt's Africa Cup of Nations group game with Ghana, Mohamed Salah was forced off with injury.
I repeat: Salah was forced off with an injury.
The Liverpool winger went down off the ball with an apparent hamstring issue and had to be substituted immediately. He was later seen sitting sitting in the dugout and was caught on camera walking through the mixed zone after the match, though he did not provide an update on his status.
Mohamed Salah went off injured against Ghana and it could spell more worries for Liverpool π
The Redsβ injury list is building, just when a Premier League title charge was starting.#OptusSport pic.twitter.com/LQk0I1NLRV
β Optus Sport (@OptusSport) January 19, 2024
Egypt boss Rui Vitoria did address his captain's knock in his post-match presser, and was relatively optimistic, suggesting that Salah's injury was not "dangerous".
Let's pray he's right.
Still, alarm bells have been set off on Merseyside and the Liverpool Twittersphere (X-sphere?) is at DEFCON 1.
https://twitter.com/joepearce_/status/1748265808264880309
Hopefully wonβt be a long one. Internationals are never frigging kind to us.
πͺπ¬π #LFC #Salah pic.twitter.com/ZnolOsLPPG
β Sajad (@SajadIqbalLFC) January 18, 2024
With Trent Alexander-Arnold already out of action for the near future alongside seven other first-team injury concerns, a crocked Salah is the absolute last thing Jurgen Klopp's side needs right now.
The Egyptian β who is the joint-leading goalscorer and assist maker in the Premier League in 2023/24 β has missed just ten league games in over six years at Anfield, showing just how rare it is to see the forward get a knock.
Been at Liverpool almost 7 years never got a hamstring injury. 2 games at AFCON heβs injured.
β Imran (@Khan971I) January 18, 2024
I didn't even think it was possible for Salah to be injured pic.twitter.com/4KaeSDeMa0
β Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) January 18, 2024
When even Salahβs getting injured, you know the footballing gods are against you.
Am growing numb to these constant fitness issues for Liverpool now.
β Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) January 18, 2024
Salah tore ligaments in his ankle and was back within a month.
Hopefully he recovers fast from his injury. pic.twitter.com/93AJGrJfYg
β Anfield Sector (@AnfieldSector) January 18, 2024
A hamstring tear could mean weeks or even months (gulp) on the sidelines, though Salah's ability to walk comfortably after the game and his manager's post-match comments give hope that the substitution may have been precautionary.
Nevertheless, the scare has given rival fans a chance to crow. Interesting how they are so happy to see him injured when he's so overrated...
Weird how rival fans simultaneously don't rate Salah or acknowledge any of his achievements, but are now also organising an open top bus to celebrate his injury
β barry (@BackseatsmanLFC) January 18, 2024