Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah to miss Barcelona semi-final

Egyptian striker ruled out of second leg of the Champions League semi-final after suffering concussion over the weekend.

Newcastle United v Liverpool FC - Premier League
Salah was carried off the pitch with a head injury in Liverpool's Premier League win against Newcastle United on Saturday [Clive Brunskill/Getty Images]

Liverpool’s star striker Mohamed Salah will miss the second leg of his side’s Champions League semi-final against Barcelona due to a concussion, as they look to overturn a 3-0 deficit.

The Egyptian national was carried off the pitch with a head injury during Saturday’s 3-2 Premier League win against Newcastle United, and has not recovered for the game against Barcelona at Anfield on Tuesday. 

“It’s a concussion so he wouldn’t be allowed to play,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told a press conference on Monday. 

“He feels OK but it’s not good enough from a medical point of view. He’s desperate but we cannot do it.”

Salah’s head hit the ground hard after he collided with Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, who came out to punch away a cross. He had earlier scored his league-leading 22nd goal of the season.

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Klopp suggested Salah will be fit to face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday at Anfield in the team’s decisive final Premier League game.

Liverpool, who trail Barcelona 3-0 after the first leg at Camp Nou last week, will also be without Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino who has a muscular injury.

“Two of the world’s best strikers are not available,” Klopp said, noting his team likely needed to score at least four goals to advance to the final.

“The situation with 3-0 against Barcelona is not exactly the situation you want to have before you play the second leg, but we try to win the game,” the German manager added.

Firmino was replaced by Daniel Sturridge in the starting lineup against Newcastle, while substitute Divock Origi came on for Salah to score a late winning goal.

The second leg of the other semi-final on Wednesday pits Dutch side Ajax against Tottenham Hotspur in Amsterdam. Ajax heads into that encounter with a 1-0 lead.

The final will be played on June 1 in Madrid.

Source: Al Jazeera, News Agencies