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Liverpool's Mohamed Salah will not require surgery despite ongoing worry with ankle injury

The Egyptian rediscovered form before the international break

Karl Matchett
Saturday 23 November 2019 14:22 GMT
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Jurgen Klopp has allayed fears that Mohamed Salah may require surgery on a problematic ankle injury, and explained how player and club are managing the ongoing situation.

Salah initially suffered the problem after a reckless foul by Leicester City‘s Hamza Choudhury back in early October, and since then has repeatedly had to either come off early or sit out Liverpool games.

He missed the clash with Man United in October and departed Egypt’s international squad this past week, without playing their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

After a handful of low-key performances, Salah returned to form and prominence just prior to the recent break, with goals against Tottenham and Manchester City.

Klopp was asked whether the injury, which has repeatedly flared up, would require surgery to fix it – but the manager says it’s more a case of careful management, including a lowered training programme.

“No. It is from the Leicester game,” he said.

“It was getting better and better and then…it is good but it was after the (City) game again, another tackle, it flared up again.

“It is not serious but in the short period we have to let it settle it is always tight for the game.

“We will see. He trained completely yesterday, a full session, but we have to see how he reacted.”

Opportunities to allow Salah downtime are complicated by the fact the Reds have a hectic schedule coming up.

Salah is fit for Saturday’s game

From the weekend Premier League game against Crystal Palace, the Reds play every three or four days until January 2.

That includes Champions League group matches, a trip to Qatar for the Club World Cup and the club playing two games in 24 hours on 17 and 18 December, though Salah will of course only be participating in one.

Looking further ahead, Klopp acknowledged his concern at a potential call-up for Salah in Egypt’s U23 squad for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The forward looks set to be one of their overage selections and Klopp says he’ll speak to his No. 11 about the situation.

“I know this from an hour ago. I had no idea.

“There are some problems I know in the future. I have to speak to Mo. I don’t know if I do it today, or whenever. Do we know if we have to (release him)? I do not know that.”

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