Liverpool Manager Slot Believes Salah Merits a Grand Farewell

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Arne Slot said Mohamed Salah “deserves a big send-off” as he confirmed he expected the departing superstar to return from injury before the end of the season.

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The Egypt forward, who will leave Anfield at the end of the campaign, was forced off in last weekend’s 3-1 win at home to Crystal Palace, prompting fears he may have played his final game for the Reds.

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Salah applauded the fans and was given a standing ovation as he made his way off the pitch.

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Liverpool confirmed on Wednesday that Salah, 33, had suffered a “minor muscle injury” and was expected to be able to return to action before the campaign comes to an end.

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The club travel to face Manchester United on Sunday after three straight wins put them firmly on course for a place in next season’s Champions League.

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“We expect him to be back in the final part of the season, but not for Sunday,” Liverpool boss Slot said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

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“It’s a big relief that his injury is minor, so that he’s able to play for us, that he’s able to play at the World Cup.

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“And if there’s ever a player who deserves to get a big send-off, it’s definitely Mo.”

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Salah has scored 257 goals in 440 appearances since his arrival at Anfield in 2017, behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt in Liverpool’s list of leading goalscorers.

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He had a public spat with Slot in December, declaring he had “no relationship” with the Dutchman after being dropped for three consecutive games.

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But the Liverpool manager later said he had “no issue to resolve” with the forward returning to the fold.

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Liverpool, whose Premier League title defence collapsed dramatically from late September, have four games remaining, starting with their trip to face United.

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