Arne Slot provides update on Mohamed Salah’s availability vs Manchester United

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The moment Mohamed Salah hobbled off the Selhurst Park pitch at half-time last Saturday, a collective dread swept through the Liverpool fanbase. Image Credits: Imago ImagesThe moment Mohamed Salah hobbled off the Selhurst Park pitch last Saturday, a collective dread swept through the Liverpool fanbase.With the Egyptian winger set to leave the club this summer after nine years on Merseyside, the prospect of his final contribution in a red shirt being a pained walk down the tunnel, rather than the send-off he deserves, felt genuinely cruel.On Friday morning at his pre-match press conference, Arne Slot moved to further ease those fears, while confirming Salah will not be involved in Sunday’s trip to Old Trafford.The injury itself was confirmed by the club on Wednesday as a minor muscle issue to the hamstring.While the initial scenes had prompted fears of something more serious, Liverpool moved quickly to reassure supporters that their departing icon would play again before the curtain falls on the season.The timing of the knockback is particularly sensitive given the wider context: Salah confirmed last month that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the campaign, making his remaining appearances all the more precious to a fanbase that has watched him redefine the club’s modern era.Salah has played 39 times this season, providing 12 goals and nine assists, and has scored in two of his last three matches.Those numbers tell only part of the story of a player who, even at 33, remains one of the most dangerous attackers in the Premier League and a figure whose departure will leave a gap that no single signing can immediately fill.When Slot addressed the media on Friday, his words on Salah carried both reassurance and unmistakable warmth.“As we know from Mo, he is always working incredibly hard when he is fit, but also when he is injured to be back as soon as possible,” the Liverpool head coach said.“Usually he is earlier fit than other players after a minor injury, so we expect him back in the final part of the season, but not for Sunday.”He went further, making clear that Salah’s return carries weight beyond football alone.“In all ways, it is a big relief that his injury is minor, that he is able to play for us and at the World Cup,” Slot added.“If there is any player that deserves to have a big send-off, it is definitely him.”The reference to the World Cup is also noteworthy.Salah had been expected to lead Egypt’s charge at this summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and a serious injury at this stage of the season could have jeopardised that too.The minor diagnosis spares both club and country from that nightmare scenario.Sunday comes too soon, but Liverpool’s final home game against Brentford on May 24 now looms as the likely stage for Salah’s farewell.Anfield will want to be ready for it.

Arne Slot Mohamed Salah