Mohamed Salah's AFCON is officially over! Liverpool star suffered 'proper hamstring tear' on Egypt duty as Pep Lijnders confirms lengthy recovery timeframe

The 31-year-old sustained a muscle injury during Egypt's Africa Cup of Nations match against Ghana, which ended in a 2-2 draw. The severity of the injury was worse than initially feared, and Salah is expected to undergo an intensive rehabilitation program upon his return to Liverpool on Wednesday. He is highly unlikely to feature again in this edition of the AFCON, even if Egypt make it all the way to the final, as he might need a month to get back to full fitness.

Liverpool's assistant manager Pep Lijnders told reporters when quizzed on Salah's injury: "(A) proper tear in his hamstring. It's expected [he will] return in three to four weeks if everything goes smoothly. It will go smoothly and it will go right because of how we've treated his body before.

"I always said before what I'm really happy about is the medical team of Egypt and the medical team of Liverpool really worked together and were in close contact and both made this decision. It's an example of how international football and club football should operate to put the player in the centre."

Egypt's record appearance-maker, Ahmed Hassan, questioned Salah's commitment to his nation after he decided to leave the national camp, and insisted that the Liverpool star should have stayed beside his team-mates "even if he only had one leg to stand on". However, Lijnders has jumped to the defence of Salah, insisting he has only been brought back to Anfield to receive the best possible medical care. "The one you should never doubt the commitment of is Mo Salah," said Lijnders. "I know the country is devastated to lose him. He is massive. The only reason ours and their medical team decided for him to come back is to give the best chance to make the final if Egypt reach it."

Salah is yet to win the AFCON with Egypt as the most recent victory for the Pharaohs came back in 2010, a year before the forward made his international debut. He came agonisingly close to lifting the trophy in 2021 but lost to Senegal on penalties in the final.

Salah will have to watch from the stands when Liverpool face Fulham and Norwich City in the EFL Cup and FA Cup, respectively, over the next five days days. Jurgen Klopp is also likely to be without Salah for huge Premier League fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal. If Salah recovers on schedule, he might be back in action against Brentford on February 17, or a week later against Luton Town at Anfield.