Injured Salah Will Return For Farewell Anfield Ovation-Slot

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that Mohamed Salah will play again this season, insisting the departing Egyptian “deserves a proper farewell” from Anfield.

Salah, who is set to leave the club when the campaign ends, sparked fears he had already appeared in a Liverpool shirt for the final time after being forced off during last weekend’s 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace. As he left the pitch, the 33-year‑old received an emotional standing ovation while applauding the crowd.

However, the club revealed earlier this week that the forward’s injury is only a “minor muscle problem”, and Slot expects him to feature before the season wraps up.

“We expect him back for the final part of the season – just not for Sunday’s game [against Manchester United],” Slot told reporters on Friday. He praised Salah as a quick healer, adding: “In every way, it’s a huge relief that his injury is minor – so he can play for us and also take part in the World Cup. If any player ever deserved a big send‑off, it’s definitely Mo.”

Since joining Liverpool in 2017, Salah has scored 257 goals in 440 appearances, placing him third on the club’s all-time scoring list behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt.

Slot’s side travel to Old Trafford on Sunday riding a three‑match winning streak that has all but secured a Champions League spot. Liverpool sit fourth in the table, three points behind third‑placed United and eight above sixth‑placed Brighton, with the top five now guaranteed qualification for Europe’s elite competition.

The manager also revealed that first‑choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker is close to returning to training after missing action since March. “He’s very close, but we don’t want to take any risks – that’s never what you do with a player, and it’s not what we’ll do now,” Slot said.

When asked whether he has been judged too harshly following last season’s Premier League title triumph, Slot replied: “That’s for you to decide. My job is to judge my players – whether they work hard enough and execute the tactics. I don’t judge how much criticism I receive.”