Slot: Mohamed Salah Deserves a Grand Farewell
Al Jazeera English
Liverpool manager Arne Slot says Mohamed Salah deserves a spectacular farewell after confirming the Egyptian star will return from a minor muscle injury before the season ends. The 33-year-old, who will leave Anfield at the end of the campaign, was forced off against Crystal Palace on Saturday, sparking fears of an early exit. Slot confirmed Salah will miss the Manchester United clash on Sunday but is expected back for the final stretch of the season.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has insisted Mohamed Salah deserves a grand farewell, after confirming the Egyptian striker will return from injury before the campaign concludes.
Mohamed Salah, who will leave Anfield at the end of the season, was forced off during the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace last weekend, sparking fears he might have played his final game for the Reds. Salah waved to the crowd and received a standing ovation as he left the pitch.
Liverpool confirmed on Wednesday that Salah, 33, has a minor muscle injury and is expected to return before the season ends. They travel to Manchester United on Sunday after three straight wins, putting them in a strong position to secure Champions League qualification for next season.
“We hope he will be back in the final part of the season, but not this Sunday,” Slot said in his pre-match press conference on Friday. “It’s a relief his injury is only minor, so he can play for us and go to the World Cup. And if any player deserves a grand farewell, it’s definitely Mo.”
Salah has scored 257 goals in 440 appearances since arriving at Anfield in 2017, placing him third on Liverpool’s all-time scoring list behind Ian Rush and Roger Hunt. He had a public disagreement with Slot in December, claiming he had “no relationship” with the Dutch manager after being dropped for three consecutive matches. However, the Liverpool boss later said “there was nothing to sort out” when Salah returned to training.
Liverpool, whose Premier League title defence collapsed from late September, have four games remaining, starting with the trip to Old Trafford. Clubs in the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer (MLS) are reportedly monitoring Salah.
