Liverpool suffer Salah blow in chase for Champions League

Liverpool’s pursuit of a place in next season’s Champions League has been jolted by the news that Mohamed Salah will miss Saturday’s Premier League trip to Brighton after sustaining a muscle injury.

The 33-year-old Egypt international, who has rediscovered his scoring touch with goals in three of his last four starts, was forced off midway through Wednesday’s 4-0 win over Galatasaray at Anfield – a result that secured the Reds’ passage into this season’s Champions League quarter-finals.

Manager Arne Slot, speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, confirmed the setback: “It’s unusual. As a result of that I think you can expect the outcome. So, (he’s) not available for tomorrow.”

Slot conceded the timing is far from ideal but took solace in the imminent international break. “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.”

Salah, who is rarely sidelined through injury, has endured a stop-start domestic campaign. Despite his recent resurgence, he has managed only five Premier League goals this term – a sharp drop from the 29 he plundered during Liverpool’s title-winning 2024/25 season.

The winger’s absence compounds Slot’s attacking concerns. Liverpool were held 1-1 by Tottenham last weekend, squandering a host of chances to climb the table. “We’re struggling to score goals,” Slot admitted. “Not that we don’t score them, but with all the chances we create, it’s unbelievable that we don’t score, especially looking at the quality we have up front and throughout the whole team.”

Liverpool currently sit fifth in the Premier League, two points behind Aston Villa in fourth. With the top five sides almost guaranteed Champions League qualification, every point is precious.

Salah’s injury also clouds preparations for a pivotal fortnight ahead. After the Brighton fixture, Liverpool return to host Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals on 4 April before locking horns with defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last eight.

For Slot, the hope is that Salah’s renowned dedication to fitness will accelerate his return and keep alive Liverpool’s twin ambitions of European glory and a top-four finish.