Mo Salah is “not ready” to return for Liverpool ahead of games against Chelsea and Arsenal in the Premier League as he continues his recovery from injury.
The 31-year-old injured his hamstring while playing for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations and returned to the club for treatment.
Jurgen Klopp confirmed that Salah is not available for selection for Wednesday’s game against Chelsea at Anfield, nor this Sunday’s trip to Arsenal, and he won’t be rushed back after Egypt were knocked out of the competition.
“Mo is not ready for this game, not ready for the next game and then not,” the German said in his pre-match press conference.
“He is injured, I’m not sure if that was a misunderstanding in the beginning.
“He is injured and a muscle injury takes time. It could have been much worse but he is not available in the moment, he is just doing his rehab.”
Klopp also delivered a positive update on the fitness of Thiago Alcantara, who has been out of action for almost a year due to a hip issue that required surgery.
“Thiago trained [for the] first time, which was an incredible moment after all the months he couldn’t. And then training at the level he trains – oof! He needs time, but it’s anyway a wonderful sign for yesterday.”
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