Mohamed Salah Targets FA Cup Return Against Manchester City Amid Liverpool Exit
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is targeting a return from injury in the FA Cup quarter-final clash against Manchester City this Saturday. The 33-year-old announced last week that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season, and it is anticipated he will be given a rousing reception by the champions' away support at the Etihad Stadium.
Salah's Injury and Recovery Timeline
Salah missed Liverpool’s defeat at Brighton before the international break with a muscle problem picked up in the Champions League victory over Galatasaray. He was also forced to sit out Egypt’s friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Spain. Manager Arne Slot has expressed optimism about Salah's swift return, and it is understood the Egyptian international is on course to do so ahead of a series of crucial fixtures for the club.
Speculation on Salah's Future After Liverpool
Egypt's national team director Ibrahim Hassan has speculated that Salah could remain in Europe once he departs Liverpool. 'I would prefer him to stay in Europe,' Hassan told On Sports. 'I have heard about offers from Paris St-Germain, Bayern Munich and clubs in the Italian league. If he does not receive offers from Europe, then a move to the Saudi league would be a good option, especially with big names such as Cristiano Ronaldo.'
Other Liverpool Injury Updates and Player Insights
Liverpool's club record signing Alexander Isak is also working towards a return to fitness this week after fracturing a leg at Tottenham in December. However, the forthcoming Champions League quarter-final first leg at Paris Saint Germain is considered a more realistic date for his comeback.
Meanwhile, Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz says he has become a stronger player as a result of the difficulties he encountered following his £116 million transfer from Bayer Leverkusen. Wirtz initially struggled with the physicality of the Premier League, but a tailored strength and conditioning programme helped him adapt.
'It wasn’t an easy phase,' Wirtz told German television show Sportschau. 'It’s sometimes good that things don’t always go upwards and that you experience a dip and grow stronger because of it. That’s how I see it now as well – it has made me a bit stronger. I had to overcome resistance and adapt. I had to learn to become stronger and hold onto the ball.'
Wirtz recently starred as Germany beat Switzerland 4-3 in a friendly in Basel, scoring twice and contributing to the other two goals for Julian Nagelsmann's side.
