Mohamed Salah picks up fresh injury, set to miss Liverpool’s trip to Brighton

Mohamed Salah will be sidelined for Liverpool’s trip to Brighton on Saturday due to a muscle injury, dealing a significant setback to manager Arne Slot’s pursuit of Champions League qualification.

The Egyptian forward had to leave the pitch during Wednesday’s 4-0 win over Galatasaray at Anfield, a victory that secured Liverpool’s place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Salah, 33, had found the net in three of his last four starts after a brief goal drought.

“The good thing for Liverpool and for us is that we go to an international break,” he said.  “The bad thing for Egypt is that he can’t go there.

“We are hoping also with what Mo has shown in the past that he can recover faster than other players might in similar situations because he takes such good care of his body. History has shown that he can be earlier back than some others. But it’s only two weeks until we go again, so let’s hope that in that period of time he can be back.”

Liverpool currently sit fifth in the Premier League, two points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, with the top five sides all but assured of Champions League football next season.

The reigning champions will face Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals on April 4.