Mohamed Salah’s dreams of revenge in the Champions League final against Real Madrid could be over after the Egyptian was substituted through injury in the FA Cup final victory over Chelsea – and was subsequently joined by Virgil van Dijk.
The Premier League’s top scorer came to a halt in the first half, before hitting the bridge in discomfort as Liverpool edged Chelsea on penalties to win the FA Cup.
Salah left the game early, leaving on his own accord
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But it was a carbon copy of the incident that would keep Fabinho out until Liverpool’s final game of the season.
Salah was then removed from the scrum in the 33rd minute in place of Diogo Jota, but left the Wembley turf of his own accord.
He was then joined on the bench by talismanic defender Van Dijk who was removed in favor of Joel Matip before extra time.
Van Dijk said after the match: “We will check. I felt in the first half when I sprinted, I felt a pinch behind the knee, I kept playing. In the end, I can’t take any risk for the team and I have to trust Joel. I hope that all will be well.
Jurgen Klopp had already received an uncomfortable blow in the Reds’ previous game with a mirror image incident knocking out key midfielder Fabinho.
The Brazilian also left the pitch after 30 minutes in a 2-1 Premier League win over Aston Villa, and was later confirmed to have suffered a hamstring strain.
Fabinho will now be out of action until Liverpool’s Champions League final encounter with Madrid on May 28, and things could be more serious for Salah.
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Salah’s decision not to take any risks could prove wise
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Van Dijk’s withdrawal may have been tactical
“It depends on the seriousness, but he doesn’t look happy,” talkSPORT commentator Andy Townsend said.
“With what they have at stake, if he has some kind of twinge in his heart, you don’t play through. It’s a wise move if he felt something.
Salah had previously expressed excitement about landing Madrid in the European Cup final, the side he faced with Liverpool in 2019, but left the pitch in tears after a tangle with Sergio Ramos .
“I want to play against Madrid, I have to be honest,” the striker said after reaching the final.
“Because we lost in the final before against them. So I want to play against them, I hope to win against them too.
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