Mohamed Salah, Egypt - John Walton/EMPICS Sport

Mohamed Salah handed World Cup boost – but should Liverpool be concerned?

Mohamed Salah is expected to be fit to join the Egypt squad for this summer’s World Cup, but Liverpool will be hoping he is not rushed back.

Salah was initially feared to miss the tournament after being forced off midway through the first half of the Champions League final on Saturday.

The 25-year-old suffered a shoulder injury following a robust challenge from Real Madrid centre-back Sergio Ramos, and watched from hospital as his side fell to a 3-1 defeat in Kyiv.

Speaking after the game Jurgen Klopp cast doubt over Salah’s ability to recover in time for the trip to Russia, saying “it doesn’t look good.”

But the Egyptian FA released an update on the forward’s fitness on Wednesday afternoon, with their team doctor confident his layoff “will not exceed three weeks.”

Egypt are set to take on Colombia (June 1) and Belgium (June 6) to warm up for the World Cup, before taking on Uruguay (June 15), Russia (June 19) and Saudi Arabia (June 25) in Group A.

If Salah’s three-week absence is considered to have begun on Sunday, he would still miss the Pharoahs’ tournament opener, and his involvement against the hosts four days later would still be difficult.

KIEV, UKRAINE - Saturday, May 26, 2018: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah walks off in tears after being substituted with an injury during the UEFA Champions League Final match between Real Madrid CF and Liverpool FC at the NSC Olimpiyskiy. (Pic by Peter Powell/Propaganda)

This could raise concerns at Liverpool that Salah is being hurried into action due to his importance to Hector Cuper’s side, and his eagerness to represent his country.

Egypt have not taken part in a World Cup finals since 1990, with Salah central to their qualification this year.

But if he is not fully fit and Cuper opts to start him against Russia he could run the risk of aggravating his injury, with the Reds’ pre-season set to begin the following month.

Salah is as key to Liverpool’s hopes as he is Egypt’s and though Jurgen Klopp is set to reinforce his attacking ranks this summer he can ill afford to be without his No. 11.

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