LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 14, 2019: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Newcastle United FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Positive injury update on Mohamed Salah but no timeframe on return

Liverpool are hopeful that an injury to Mohamed Salah‘s ankle is not as bad as first feared—but have not confirmed whether he’ll be fit to face Man United.

The Reds forward departed the Anfield pitch late in the game on Saturday, after a heavy challenge from Hamza Choudhury which drew fury from Jurgen Klopp.

While the club haven’t officially confirmed any update themselves, journalists simultaneously tweeted on Monday morning that a scan had showed “no major issue” with Salah’s ankle.

Melissa Reddy of ESPN writes: “Mohamed Salah suffered a twisted ankle against Leicester. No major issue flagged on his scan. The Egyptian’s injury will continue to be assessed and treated. #LFC not ruling him in or out v Manchester United at this stage as it is too early in the healing process to judge.”

Liverpool’s No. 11 was not due to travel away on international duty with Egypt this week anyway, and will now spend the next fortnight working on recovery at Melwood.

While that’s a positive to come out of the situation, as it could have been far worse, the worry for fans at present is whether or not Salah will recover in time for the Reds’ next game: away to Man United.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 5, 2019: Leicester City's Hamza Choudhury is shown a yellow card after a late tackle on Liverpool's Mohamed Salah during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Leicester City FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The club say it is too early to confirm such availability, though of course it’s not likely they would leave themselves open to being wrong or giving away team news in any case, so by itself doesn’t mean too much.

Divock Origi would be the likely replacement if Salah doesn’t make the game at Old Trafford, which would mean a reshuffle of the Reds’ attack, perhaps with Sadio Mane moving to the right and Origi on the left.

If Salah does miss out, it would deprive Klopp of the chance to play a full-strength team, which he hasn’t done this season yet: Alisson has been injured since the first game of the campaign but could be back for the trip to United.