Liverpool fans are eagerly anticipating Mohamed Salah’s return from a muscle injury ahead of the clash with Manchester City on Sunday. The forward is expected to resume full training this week, raising hopes for his participation in the pivotal match at Anfield. However, if Salah misses the City game, it could have potential benefits for Liverpool.
There’s a club-versus-country dilemma, with the Egyptian FA indicating that Salah will be summoned for their March matches if he plays for Liverpool in the meantime. Neil Jones, on The Redmen TV’s Journo Insight show, envisions a scenario where Salah’s absence against City could be a strategic move for Liverpool’s long-term gain.
Jones speculates that even a brief cameo off the bench against City could be valuable, but if Salah fails to return to training this week, Liverpool might opt for an extra week to ensure his full recovery. This could potentially rule him out of the Egypt squad, providing a refreshed Salah after the international break, ideally fully healed and ready for upcoming fixtures.
Klopp faces a significant decision regarding Salah’s inclusion in the clash with Man City. Jones advocates for prioritizing Salah’s long-term fitness, suggesting that if Salah remains sidelined until Egypt’s squad announcement, he gains additional time to prepare for the crucial period after Easter.
While excluding the top scorer from the season’s most important fixture may seem unwise, considering Salah’s impressive track record against City, it could be a strategic move for the long run if he is marginally fit. Salah has consistently scored against City at Anfield since 2018 and has been influential in recent Premier League encounters against them.
If Salah is fit on Sunday, he will likely be called upon, even if it means sacrificing him to national team duty later in the month. Conversely, if he fails to recover in time, it could benefit Liverpool’s season in the long run by ensuring he is fully ready for crucial matches ahead, provided the Egyptian FA honors their commitment not to summon him unless he features for Liverpool in the meantime.
