Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah left Wednesday’s Champions League quarterfinal against Manchester City with a groin injury.
Everything was going Liverpool’s way in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal against Manchester City. Mohamed Salah scored the first of the Reds’ three first-half goals in the 12th minute. Liverpool held on to win 3-0, but Salah left the game early in the second half with what appeared to be a groin injury.
Salah initially went to the sideline, receiving medical attention. Ultimately, the Egyptian international was taken to the locker room and replaced by Georginio Wijnaldum in the 53rd minute. The severity of the injury is currently unknown. He returned to the bench and was on the pitch following the final whistle, which suggests it may have simply been a precautionary measure.
The injury didn’t change the outcome of Wednesday’s game against City, but the duration of Salah’s injury could impact how Liverpool finish the season. Salah has been the Reds’ best player this season by a wide margin and could be named Premier League Player of the Year. This season, Salah has scored 38 goals in all competitions.
The second leg of Liverpool’s quarterfinal is Tuesday, April 10 in Manchester. While the Reds enter the second leg with a three-goal lead, City are more than capable of coming back. If Salah is unable to play, Liverpool lose a lot of speed and their most dangerous player. One away goal would be huge for the Reds, and could seal their place in the semis. Without Salah, Klopp would likely have a more conservative approach.
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Domestically, Liverpool will likely remain in the top four even if Salah misses the rest of the season. However, it’s still possible Liverpool could fall out of the top four. With six games remaining, Liverpool are 10 points ahead of fifth-place Chelsea for the final Champions League spot. While unlikely, it’s still possible Chelsea get their act together and catch Liverpool if Klopp can’t find a replacement for Salah. Ultimately, there might not be another player on the Liverpool roster capable of providing the club what Salah offers. Instead, Liverpool will have to rely more heavily on Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
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