Liverpool Expect Mohamed Salah To Return Before End Of Season After Minor Muscle Injury

Liverpool expect Mohamed Salah to return from injury before the end of the season after he was forced off against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The BBC said Salah was forced off in the second half with a suspected hamstring issue, and Liverpool later described the problem as a “minor muscle injury.”

Africanews

Liverpool also said it is “anticipated” the Egypt international will recover in time to feature again before leaving the club, according to the BBC.

The Guardian likewise reported that he was substituted in the 59th minute of Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday with a hamstring problem, and that Liverpool confirmed: “Mohamed Salah is expected to be available to play again before the end of this season.”

The club’s statement, quoted by multiple outlets, added that “The issue that caused his withdrawal has now been confirmed as a minor muscle injury.”

FotMob echoed the same framing, saying Liverpool confirmed Salah is expected to feature again before the end of the season after suffering a minor muscle injury.

The New York Times reported that scans revealed only minor damage to his left hamstring, and that Liverpool confirmed his spell on the sidelines “won’t rule him out of the team’s entire run-in.”

Liverpool’s update comes as Salah’s departure from the club at the end of the season remains the central storyline.

The BBC said Salah announced last month that he would leave after a “glittering nine-year spell at Anfield,” and it noted he has scored 257 goals in 435 appearances.

BBC

The Guardian reported that the 33-year-old’s reaction after being replaced against Palace—applauding all four sides of Anfield before heading straight down the tunnel—raised concerns he might have played his final game for the club.

Liverpool’s statement, as quoted by the Guardian, said it is “anticipated Salah will return to action ahead of 2025-26’s conclusion and his departure from the Reds this summer.”

The Guardian also said Arne Slot’s side have only four games remaining this season—against Manchester United, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford—as they attempt to secure qualification for next season’s Champions League.

Sky Sports and theScore both described the same run-in, with Sky listing the Premier League dates and kick-off times for Sunday May 3 against Manchester United at Old Trafford, Saturday May 9 against Chelsea at home, Sunday May 17 at Aston Villa, and Sunday May 24 against Brentford at home.

The New York Times added that if Salah does not feature in those matches, he is set to be back for what is expected to be an emotional farewell at home to Brentford on May 24.

Liverpool’s internal messaging on Salah’s fitness is paired with public caution from Arne Slot, who previously said the club did not know whether Salah would return in time.

“Liverpool expect Mohamed Salah to return from injury before the end of the season after he was forced off against Crystal Palace on Saturday”

BBC

In the Liverpool report, Slot was quoted saying, “We don't know,” and adding, “That's the best answer I can give because if I say it might be a chance then probably all the headlines are, 'there might be a chance...' ”

He continued: “We simply don't know but what we do know is the season is in four weeks over, so there are not a lot of games being played.”

Slot also said, “We have to wait and see how his injury is and if he is able to return to play,” and he added that he believed Salah would have “the minimum time required to recover from an injury.”

Virgil van Dijk reiterated that Salah would do everything possible to return, and he told reporters, “I know he is doing everything in his power to be back on the pitch as soon as possible.”

Van Dijk also said, “He will get the send-off regardless,” and he added, “I don't think that is the thing at this point, we shouldn't think too far ahead.”

Sky Sports included the same van Dijk quotes, including “Hopefully he won't be long. Maybe he's back next week, maybe not. I have no idea.”

The timing of Salah’s expected return is repeatedly linked to Liverpool’s immediate fixtures, with multiple outlets describing why the next match could be a stretch.

The BBC said the timeline for his return ensures Salah remains on track to captain Egypt at this summer's World Cup, while also noting that a return against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday would appear highly unlikely.

FotMob

The Guardian similarly said no timeframe had been placed on his absence but he appears certain to miss Sunday’s visit to Old Trafford and Chelsea’s trip to Anfield on 9 May.

The theScore report said Liverpool are awaiting results of a scan to determine the extent of the problem, but it also said the club statement expects him to be “available to play again before the end of this season.”

Sky Sports listed the match schedule with specific kick-off times, and it included the club statement that “Liverpool FC can confirm Mohamed Salah is expected to be available to play again before the end of this season.”

NewsBytes framed the same update as a boost for Liverpool and their fans, saying Salah suffered a “minor” muscle injury during Liverpool's 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday and that no specific timeline had been provided yet.

Sports Illustrated added that Liverpool have four more matches left—all in the Premier League—and described the run starting on Sunday, May 3, when the Reds face Manchester United at Old Trafford.

While the core message is consistent—Liverpool expect Mohamed Salah to be available again before the end of the season—outlets diverge in how they frame the uncertainty and the broader stakes.

The BBC emphasizes the club’s expectation and the World Cup captaincy angle, saying the timeline “ensures Salah remains on track to captain Egypt at this summer's World Cup,” and it also describes the injury as a “minor muscle injury.”

France 24

The Guardian focuses on the farewell-season narrative and quotes Liverpool’s statement about returning ahead of “2025-26’s conclusion and his departure,” while also listing the remaining opponents as Manchester United, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford.

FotMob stresses that fears of a premature swansong were “soothed” after Liverpool confirmed he will not face a long lay-off, even though it does not specify a timeline.

The New York Times, by contrast, foregrounds the scan result—“scans revealed only minor damage to his left hamstring”—and it quotes Slot’s earlier “We don’t know” uncertainty alongside the later confirmation.

Sports Illustrated adds detail about Salah’s earlier contract situation and mentions that it was reported he “initiated the premature split,” while also describing the run-in and the possibility of an Anfield farewell against Brentford on May 24.

Across these differences, the shared anchor remains Liverpool’s statement that the issue is a “minor muscle injury” and that it is “anticipated Salah will return to action ahead of 2025-26's conclusion and his departure.”