Liverpool: Mohamed Salah has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with Liverpool FC after suffering a thigh muscle injury, raising concerns over his fitness ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The Egyptian forward picked up the injury during Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League on April 25. He was substituted in the 59th minute at Anfield after going down clutching his left leg.
Injury timeline and recovery outlook
Medical assessments suggest Salah could be sidelined for around four weeks. While this effectively rules him out of Liverpool’s remaining fixtures, it offers some optimism regarding his availability for the World Cup.
For Egypt, the update comes as a partial relief, as the team remains heavily dependent on their captain’s attacking influence. However, the timing of the injury—so close to a major international tournament—raises concerns about his match fitness and sharpness.
Experts note that even a short layoff can impact performance levels, particularly in a high-intensity tournament like the World Cup, where peak physical condition is crucial.
Doubts over final Liverpool appearance
The injury has also fuelled speculation that Salah may have already played his final game for Liverpool. The 33-year-old had earlier indicated that he would leave the club at the end of the 2025–26 season.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot acknowledged the uncertainty, stating that the club would have to “wait and see” if Salah returns before the season concludes. With Liverpool’s final fixture scheduled against Brentford FC on May 24, the timeline leaves little room for a comeback.
A legendary Liverpool career
Since joining Liverpool in 2017, Salah has established himself as one of the club’s greatest-ever players. His contributions have been central to a period of significant success, including multiple domestic and international titles.
Salah has won the Premier League, the UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup, EFL Cups, and the Community Shield with the club. Individually, he has scored 257 goals in 435 appearances, making him the third-highest goalscorer in Liverpool’s history behind Ian Rush and Roger Hunt.
Focus shifts to World Cup
With the World Cup set to be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the tournament could mark one of the defining moments in the latter stages of Salah’s international career.
While current medical updates remain positive, uncertainty lingers over whether he will regain full match fitness in time. For Egypt and their fans, his recovery will be closely monitored in the coming weeks.
Conclusion
Mohamed Salah’s injury has not only ended his club season prematurely but also introduced uncertainty ahead of the World Cup. While his long-term fitness outlook appears stable, the challenge will be regaining peak form in time for football’s biggest stage. Regardless of his immediate future, his legacy at Liverpool remains firmly intact.