Mohamed Salah is expected to make his way back onto the Liverpool pitch before the campaign draws to a close, the club confirmed after diagnosing his setback as a "minor" muscle injury. The 33-year‑old Egyptian forward limped off during Liverpool's 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday, clutching his leg and being substituted just before the 60‑minute mark.
He lingered on the touchline to acknowledge the Anfield supporters, his expression visibly emotional as he waved goodbye to the crowd. Last month, Salah announced that he had reached an agreement with Liverpool to bring his nine‑year spell on Merseyside to an end, with the final home game against Brentford at Anfield slated to serve as a fitting farewell. While the club has not supplied a precise timetable for his return, a statement posted on Liverpool's official website hinted that fans could expect to see the Egyptian wearing the red shirt again before the season concludes. "Liverpool FC can confirm Mohamed Salah is expected to be available to play again before the end of this season," the club read in its announcement.
"The No 11 was substituted during the second half of last Saturday's Premier League win over Crystal Palace at Anfield. The issue that caused his withdrawal has now been confirmed as a minor muscle injury.
It is, however, anticipated Salah will return to action ahead of 2025‑26's conclusion and his departure from the Reds this summer." The timing of the update is particularly welcome for the Egyptian national side, which is preparing for its upcoming World Cup campaign. Salah suffered a scare ahead of the last time Egypt qualified for the tournament in 2018, but he managed to feature, albeit not at full capacity, throughout the competition.
His swift recovery will therefore be a boost for both club and country as the summer draws nearer. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk expressed confidence that Salah will receive the proper send‑off, even if his final appearance for the club comes later in the season.
"I know he is doing everything in his power to be back on the pitch as soon as possible," Van Dijk said. "If you get injured at this stage of the season, especially in the situation he is in, there are only two more home games left for him. It's a mixture of emotions that runs through your mind." Van Dijk added that the timeline remains uncertain: "Hopefully he won't be long. Maybe he's back next week, maybe not.
I have no idea. He will get the send‑off regardless. I don't think that is the thing at this point; we shouldn't think too far ahead. Knowing Mo, he is a quick healer and with the right people around him, let's see." Looking ahead, Liverpool's fixture list still offers a few opportunities for Salah to add a final chapter to his storied tenure.
The remaining matches include: - Sunday, May 3: Manchester United (away) – kickoff 3:30 pm, live on Sky Sports - Saturday, May 9: Chelsea (home) – kickoff 12:30 pm - Sunday, May 17: Aston Villa (away) – kickoff 3:00 pm - Sunday, May 24: Brentford (home) – kickoff 4:00 pm These games could provide the perfect stage for a farewell performance, allowing supporters to celebrate Salah's contributions, which span over 200 goals for Liverpool, multiple Premier League titles, a Champions League triumph, and countless individual accolades. His speed, finishing ability, and knack for delivering in crucial moments have made him one of the most iconic players in the club's modern era.
Beyond the statistics, Salah's impact extends to his leadership off the field. He has been a vocal ambassador for charitable causes, both in Egypt and the United Kingdom, and his professionalism has set a benchmark for younger teammates.
As the season nears its end, the prospect of seeing him don the Liverpool shirt one more time will be a source of excitement for fans worldwide. In summary, while the exact date of his return remains unconfirmed, all signs point to Salah being fit enough to feature before the final whistle of the 2024‑25 campaign. The club's assurance, combined with Van Dijk's optimism, suggests that the Egyptian star will likely grace Anfield once more, offering a proper goodbye before his planned departure in the summer.