Mohamed Salah isn't done yet. If you were watching the game against Crystal Palace last Saturday, you probably felt that collective gut-punch when the Egyptian King went down. Seeing him applaud all four corners of Anfield as he limped off in the 59th minute felt like a premature funeral for a legendary career. Everyone assumed the worst: a torn hamstring, a four-week layoff, and a silent exit for a man who deserves a roar.
But the narrative just shifted.
Liverpool officially confirmed today that Salah’s injury is a minor muscle issue, not the season-ending disaster we feared. While Egypt’s national team director Ibrahim Hassan was busy telling Reuters that Salah had a tear and would be out for a month, Liverpool’s medical team at the AXA Training Centre has a different story. He’s expected to return before the 2025-26 campaign wraps up.
This isn't just about fitness. It's about how one of the greatest players to ever wear the shirt gets to say goodbye.
The truth about Salah's final month at Anfield
The timing of this injury was brutal. Salah already announced last month that he's leaving Liverpool this summer, effectively canceling the final year of his contract extension. We're looking at a legend with 257 goals and 440 appearances, and for a few days, it looked like his last contribution was going to be a 6.3 match rating against Palace.
Arne Slot has been playing it cool, as he usually does. Last weekend, he told reporters he "simply didn't know" if Salah would play again. Slot’s honesty is refreshing, but it didn't do much to calm the fans. However, the latest scans have cleared the path. Salah is a freak when it comes to recovery. He treats his body like a high-performance machine, and that discipline is exactly why he’s likely to beat the standard recovery timelines.
What games will he actually play
Don't expect him to start this Sunday at Old Trafford. Pitting a recovering hamstring against Manchester United is a recipe for a permanent tear. Most signs point to him missing the Chelsea game on May 9 too.
Here’s how the final stretch looks:
- May 3: Manchester United (Away) – Highly unlikely
- May 9: Chelsea (Home) – Touch and go
- May 17: Aston Villa (Away) – Probable return
- May 24: Brentford (Home) – The Final Dance
The Brentford game on May 24 is the one circled on everyone’s calendar. It’s the season finale at Anfield. If Salah can get fit for that, he gets the send-off he’s earned. Virgil van Dijk said it best this week: "He will get the send-off regardless," but we all know it’s different if he’s actually on the pitch, hunting for one last goal.
Why this matters for the Champions League race
Liverpool isn't just playing for sentiment. They’re currently fighting to lock down a top-five finish to secure Champions League football. With an eight-point lead over Brighton, they're in a strong position, but they aren't safe yet.
Slot has spent $325 million on talent like Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, but they’ve struggled to find a consistent rhythm this season. Wirtz has seven goals and ten assists, but he’s still adjusting to the physical reality of the Premier League. Honestly, even a 75% fit Salah offers a gravity on the right wing that creates space for everyone else. Defenders still double-team him out of pure habit and fear.
The World Cup factor
Egypt is sweating. They have a World Cup campaign starting this summer in North America, with a training camp scheduled for Spokane. If Salah had a Grade 2 or 3 tear, his World Cup would have been in serious jeopardy.
This "minor" diagnosis is a massive relief for his country. Salah has carried that national team on his back for years, and missing the tournament in the US, Canada, and Mexico would have been a tragedy for his legacy. He’s 33 now. This is likely his last shot at the global stage.
Stop worrying about the exit
There’s been a lot of talk about Salah’s relationship with Arne Slot, especially after he was benched for those three games back in December. Some people think he’s leaving because of a rift. Maybe that’s true, maybe it isn't. But don't let the drama distract you from what’s happening right now.
The club has confirmed he’s coming back. The medical staff is optimistic. Salah is motivated.
If you're a Liverpool fan, your job is simple: wait for the Brentford game. The Egyptian King has one more act left in him before he heads for the exit. Don't be surprised if he finishes it with a goal. He usually does.
Keep an eye on the Friday press conferences for the official word on his training status. If he’s back on the grass by next week, the Aston Villa game becomes the realistic target for his competitive return.
