LONDON – Jurgen Klopp said he was shocked to discover Liverpool star Mohamed Salah had suffered a hamstring injury while playing for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The forward has missed just 10 English Premier League matches in 6½ seasons with the Reds, and his impressive fitness record meant the Reds manager was surprised to learn that his talisman was forced off during Egypt’s 2-2 draw with Ghana on Jan 18.
The latest update on Jan 20 from the national side is that Salah will be ruled out of two Afcon games, meaning he would not be able to return unless Egypt reach the quarter-finals of the tournament, which ends on Feb 11.
“In the moment it was a shock. He felt it and we all know how rarely Mo needs to go off, so there was definitely something,” Klopp said on Jan 19, when the extent of the injury was still uncertain.
“I don’t have any more information right now. I spoke with him last night. They are doing further assessments.”
While Liverpool did not expect the 31-year-old to return until February, a long-term injury would be a huge blow as the Premier League leaders chase the title, as well as the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League.
The Reds head to Bournemouth on Jan 21 looking to extend their advantage at the top to five points.
Due to injuries and international commitments, Klopp will be without Salah, Wataru Endo, Kostas Tsimikas, Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Thiago Alcantara, Dominik Szoboszlai, Joel Matip and Stefan Bajcetic.
Robertson, Alexander-Arnold and Szoboszlai are closest to returns, potentially in the League Cup semi-final, second leg at Fulham on Jan 24.
Liverpool hold a 2-1 lead from the first leg at Anfield.
“They’re all positive but not ready. They’re all getting closer and closer and closer and some of them might be in team training next week, but for the Bournemouth game I don’t expect anyone back,” Klopp added.
“After Bournemouth maybe for Fulham we will see... but they are all close. Trent close, Dom close, Robbo close.”
Off the pitch, Klopp also said Jordan Henderson’s critics should not dare to judge the former Liverpool midfielder after he ended his controversial spell in Saudi Arabia by joining Ajax Amsterdam.
Just six months after quitting the Reds, Henderson left Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq on Jan 18 in a surprise switch to Dutch side Ajax.
His move to a country where same-sex relationships are illegal was heavily criticised in Britain, where he had previously been a high-profile supporter of LGBTQ+ rights.
But Klopp said the 33-year-old did not deserve to have his personal choices questioned.
“I don’t know how we dare, always judging these kind of things,” he said.
“We have one life and we have to make decisions and sometimes our decisions are perfect in the first case and sometimes it is different after you made them.
“He was there and it was 100 per cent an interesting experience and I spoke to him and 99 per cent of football things there were absolutely fine.” AFP, REUTERS
