Mohamed Salah injury ‘more serious than first thought’ as Liverpool star’s agent provides update - in huge blow to Egypt’s AFCON chances

Salah sustained an injury in his team's Africa Cup of Nations clash against Ghana and walked off in the first-half. Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp said on Sunday that the forward will return to Merseyside to begin his recovery, and the player's agent has now confirmed that the injury is worse than initially feared.

"The injury is more serious than first thought. He will be out for 21-28 days," the attacker's agent, Ramy Abbas, said on X. "His best chance at participating in the current AFCON is by undergoing intensive rehabilitation in the UK and rejoining the team as soon as he is fit."

With a possible four-week layoff in store for the Egypt star, his hopes of returning to Ivory Coast to compete in the continental competition seem slim. The Pharaohs would have to go all the way to the final and his rehabilitation in Liverpool would have to go smoothly for him to be able to help the national team's cause. Otherwise, he could miss at least six matches for Liverpool between now and his expected return towards the end of February.

The 31-year-old will begin his recovery from the muscle injury and will hope to be back in action before long. Meanwhile, Egypt will hope to get their first win of AFCON 2023 when they face Cape Verde in their final match of Group B later on Monday.