Salah injury ends Liverpool career prematurely
Liverpool edged closer to UEFA Champions League qualification with a 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Anfield in the Premier League, but the result came with a sour note as Mohamed Salah went off with a hamstring tear that is expected to end both his season and his Liverpool career prematurely.
The 33-year-old Egyptian winger, who has announced he will leave the current Premier League champion at the end of the season, applauded the crowd as he walked off injured in the 60th minute, raising concerns over whether he has played his last game for the club.
"Another win and another injury," Liverpool manager Arne Slot said, while not confirming if the injury would be season-ending.
"It's the story of our season. It's too early to say but we all know Mo and how hard it is for him to leave the pitch. For Mo to leave the pitch, it shows you something but we have to wait and see how bad it is."
However, Egypt's national team director Ibrahim Hassan was more than happy to claim Salah's season is done.
"He has suffered a hamstring tear and will require four weeks of treatment," Hassan said.
Hassan said Salah will be fit for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Egypt will face Belgium, New Zealand and Iran in Group G.
Salah is determined to recover in time for the tournament, which starts on 12 June (AEST) and avoid a repeat of the injury setback he suffered before the 2018 edition.
He injured his shoulder in a 3-1 defeat by Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final, and despite scoring twice in two matches, Egypt was eliminated at the group stage in Russia.
Liverpool has two home fixtures remaining – against Chelsea on 10 May (AEST) and Brentford on 25 May (AEST) – and visits Manchester United on 4 May (AEST), a side Salah has regularly tormented, and plays Villa away on 1 18 May (AEST).
Liverpool's third-highest goalscorer of all time, Salah has recorded 12 goals and nine assists across all competitions this season.
In the absence of first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker and his usual deputy Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman delivered an impressive performance.
Palace, 13th in the standings, arrived at Anfield with a chance to make history, seeking a fourth victory over Liverpool this season, something no club has ever achieved.
Oliver Glasner's side defeated Liverpool on penalties in the FA Community Shield, claimed a 2-1 Premier League win at Selhurst Park and then recorded a 3-0 victory at Anfield in the Carabao Cup.
This time, however, goals from British record signing Alexander Isak, departing left back Andy Robertson and midfielder Florian Wirtz, combined with several fine saves from Woodman, secured all three points for the hosts.
The win lifted Liverpool to fourth in the Premier League table with 58 points from 34 matches.
The 29-year-old Woodman made his Premier League debut for Liverpool in last weekend's 2-1 Merseyside derby win over Everton after Mamardashvili, who had been filling in for the injured Alisson, was forced off in the second half.
"It was an unbelievable moment for me," Woodman said. "I didn't think I would play at Anfield in a Premier League game when I joined this club.
"I'm a massive [Palace] fan now, still, but I wanted to try and help the team as much as I can. I've trained for this. When you're playing behind top players, it makes my job so much easier."
The match also served as a platform for renewed supporter protests against Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group over rising ticket prices.
In the 13th minute, Liverpool fans held up yellow cards to signal their opposition.
