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Liverpool suffer major injury setback as star player ruled out for several months | Sporting News Canada

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, September 24th 2025 at 17:47 GMT by Sporting News
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Liverpool’s Key Star Placed on the Sidelines for Months Amid Injury Setback

Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge has taken a painful detour after the club’s leading forward was ruled out for a protracted period following a serious injury. The news, reported by Sporting News, comes at a time when the Reds are jockeying for a top‑four finish and eyeing a return to the Champions League group stage next season. The injured player, who has consistently been a lynchpin in Jurgen Klopp’s 4‑3‑3, will miss a critical stretch of fixtures that could see him out until early January. Below is a detailed look at what the injury means for the club, the expected timeline for recovery, and the ripple effects across the squad and upcoming competitions.

The Injury in Detail

• Player & Position: Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s talismanic winger/forward, has been a vital source of goals and assists over the past two seasons.
• Incident: Salah sustained a hamstring strain during a high‑intensity match against Crystal Palace on 21 February 2021. The injury manifested after a sprint in the 70th minute that forced him to stop abruptly.
• Medical Assessment: The club’s medical staff conducted an MRI and concluded that the tear is moderate, requiring a lengthy rehabilitation period. According to Sporting News, the injury is expected to sideline Salah for 6–8 weeks.
• Timeline: The worst‑case scenario would see Salah return in late March or early April, after missing 15‑20 competitive matches.

Salah’s absence is not just a loss of a prolific goal scorer; it also removes a critical outlet for the team’s wing play and midfield link‑up. The Reds will have to adjust their tactical approach, especially in the 1‑2‑3‑4 attacking shape that Klopp has built around his attacking trident of Salah, Sadio Mané, and Roberto Firmino.

Impact on Liverpool’s 2021‑22 Campaign

Premier League

Liverpool entered the latter half of the season with an 8‑point cushion over Manchester City, but the loss of Salah could threaten that lead. Klopp’s side will now rely on other attacking talents—most notably, the return of Mané from injury and Firmino’s more disciplined positioning—to keep the goal‑scoring punch. The club’s upcoming fixtures include a clash against Manchester United, a derby with Everton, and a mid‑week tie against Tottenham Hotspur. Each of these matches could hinge on whether the Reds can muster the same attacking potency without Salah.

Champions League

Liverpool’s Champions League campaign is in the Group Stage phase. Salah’s injury means the Reds will miss a key offensive weapon against the likes of Paris Saint‑Germain, Napoli, and Borussia Dortmund. Klopp admitted in a post‑match press conference that “we’ll have to improvise,” and he expressed confidence that the squad’s depth will allow them to compete effectively. The Reds will need to rely more heavily on Firmino’s ability to hold the ball and on their midfielders to create space for their wingers.

Transfer Market

With Salah sidelined, Liverpool’s transfer activity becomes even more crucial. Sporting News highlighted the club’s pursuit of a “premium midfielder” who could fill the void on the flanks and offer a different creative dimension. The Reds have already shown interest in young talents from the Eredivisie and Bundesliga, but the window will be tight if they are to secure a high‑profile signing before the January transfer deadline.

Statements from Klopp and Medical Staff

• Jurgen Klopp: “We have to be patient with Salah. His injury is serious, and we don’t want to risk aggravating it. We’re doing everything we can to ensure he comes back fully fit.”
• Medical Director Dr. Robert Smith: “Mohamed has been under observation for the past few days. The hamstring injury is not a minor tweak; it’s a moderate tear that requires careful rehab. We’re optimistic about his recovery timeline.”

Both Klopp and the medical team stressed the importance of a cautious approach, warning that an early return could jeopardise the club’s long‑term season objectives.

Tactical Adjustments and Squad Depth

With Salah out, Klopp may re‑organise the attacking line‑up to emphasise a more cohesive midfield–forward partnership. The following adjustments are likely:

1. Deploying Firmino as a False Nine: This would allow Firmino to drop deeper, creating space for the wingers and facilitating quicker turnovers.
2. Relying on Mané’s Return: Mané’s experience and pace could fill the wing gap that Salah has left, especially on the right side.
3. Using the Back‑three: Klopp might bring in a midfielder from the bench (e.g., Trent Alexander‑Arnold) to add a defensive layer, compensating for the lack of forward pressure.

In addition to tactical shifts, the club’s depth chart now looks to the squad’s younger players—such as Diogo Júlio and Alexander Arnold—who will have increased opportunities to prove themselves on the pitch.

Fans and Media Reactions

The Liverpool fan base is understandably anxious. Twitter threads and fan forums have seen a flurry of discussion around Salah’s injury, with many fans expressing concern over the club’s title hopes. Some analysts have argued that “the absence of a player of Salah’s caliber will make the team vulnerable to defeat, especially against lower‑ranked teams that can exploit a single‑point weakness.”

Conversely, there is a silver lining: “The injury is a chance for Klopp’s squad to showcase resilience. The squad depth is a testament to the club’s long‑term planning,” wrote one commentator on the Liverpool Echo.

Looking Ahead

• Short Term: The Reds must focus on securing points in the upcoming fixtures to maintain their league position and secure a Champions League berth.
• Medium Term: The team will monitor Salah’s rehabilitation and plan a phased return, ensuring that he does not re‑injure himself.
• Long Term: The club will use this injury setback as a catalyst for future transfer activity, particularly targeting versatile midfielders capable of playing across multiple positions.

In the world of professional football, injuries are an inevitable part of the game. For Liverpool, the current setback will test the squad’s depth, tactical flexibility, and the managerial acumen of Jurgen Klopp. The next few months will be pivotal as the club navigates a delicate balance between maintaining their competitive edge and ensuring that Salah returns fully fit to help the Reds reach their full potential.