Mohamed Salah Faces Race to Be Fit for FA Cup Quarterfinal After Injury Blow

• Mohamed Salah ruled out until after the international break with a muscle injury
• Liverpool sweating on his fitness for FA Cup quarterfinal against Manchester City
• Arne Slot hopeful that the forward can recover quickly based on past record

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is facing a race against time to be fit for the FA Cup quarterfinal against Manchester City after a muscle injury ruled him out until after the international break.

The 33-year-old had been in strong form, scoring in three of his last four starts, including during Liverpool’s recent UEFA Champions League win over Galatasaray.

However, concerns were raised when Salah signaled to be substituted after scoring during that match, prompting fears over his condition.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot confirmed the forward will not be available in the immediate term.

“Indeed, unusual and as a result of that you can expect the outcome: he’s not available for tomorrow,” Slot said ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Brighton.

Slot acknowledged the timing of the injury brings both positives and negatives, with the international break offering recovery time but ruling Salah out of international duty with Egypt national team.

“The good thing for Liverpool is we go to an international break, and the bad thing for Egypt is that he can’t go there,” he said.

Despite the setback, Slot expressed optimism that Salah could return sooner than expected, citing his strong physical condition and recovery history.

“We’re hoping with what Mo has shown in the past that he can recover faster than other players in similar situation because he takes such good care of his body,” Slot added.

Liverpool will now monitor Salah’s progress closely ahead of their FA Cup clash, with hopes he can return in time for the crucial tie.