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Mohamed Salah handed Liverpool an injury scare playing for Egypt before his country rallied to secure a 2-2 draw against Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Featuring for the Pharaohs, Salah was forced off on the stroke of half-time with a suspected hamstring problem.
Salah was seen clutching the back of his left leg and cut a frustrated figure after embracing teammate Ahmed Hegazi and handing him the captain’s armband.
Salah would then leave the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny pitch in Abidjan, with Mostafa Fathi replacing him. And Liverpool star could then be seen sitting on the turf by the dugout to watch the closing moments of the first half.
Egypt were forced to rally twice from behind and secure a point to sit second in Group B on two points. West Ham forward Mohammed Kudus broke the deadlock in brilliant fashion as he held off the attentions of three defenders before drilling a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.
Salah had earlier been involved in a furious row with referee Pierre Atcho after Omar Marmoush went down in the area. Salah appeared to be appealing for a penalty despite a free-kick being given against Marmoush and the former was perhaps fortunate not to be shown a yellow card for his vehement protests.
Despite the loss of Salah, Egypt started the second half well and had a goal disallowed for offside in the 51st minute before the impressive Marmoush was gifted the chance to equalise. The 24-year-old pounced on a woeful backpass from Inaki Williams and calmly rounded goalkeeper Richard Ofori before sliding the ball into an empty net from a narrow angle.
Egypt’s Mohamed Salah receives medical treatment
(AP)
Parity lasted just two minutes however, Kudus receiving a pass from Denis Odoi in the area and seeing his left-footed shot take a slight deflection off the unfortunate Mohamed Abdelmonem and beyond goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.
The breathless action showed no signs of slowing and Egypt equalised for the second time just three minutes later, with Ghana again guilty of contributing to their own downfall. Osman Bukari was dispossessed by Trezeguet on the right-hand side of his own area and the Trabzonspor midfielder drove to the byline before pulling the ball back for Mostafa Mohamed to poke home.
Egypt were held by Mozambique in their first Group B match, with Salah’s stoppage-time penalty, and his second of the game, required to avoid a disastrous defeat. Egypt will conclude their group stage against Cape Verde on Monday.
Salah has not played for Jurgen Klopp’s side since the 4-2 win over Newcastle on New Year’s Day.
Egypt’s Mohamed Salah receives medical treatment
(AP)
The Reds have been without Salah for two matches so far, beating Arsenal 2-0 in the FA Cup and also securing a 2-1 first-leg win over Fulham in the Carabao Cup.
Depending on the severity of the injury, Salah’s absence could extend beyond 17 February when the Reds play Brentford.
That was initially seen as the longest club absence possible, should Egypt advance to the final in Abidjan on 11 February, but Liverpool and Egypt are now braced for news on the forward’s condition in the coming days.
