Mohamed Salah will miss Liverpool’s clash with Leicester City even if he tests negative for the virus currently impacting on the world, according to the Mirror [via the Express].
The 28-year-old tested positive while on international duty with Egypt, throwing his involvement in Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Leicester into doubt.
Although some reports claimed a negative test this week would make Salah available for selection, there appears to have been a twist in the saga.
This latest update states that Premier League protocols mean he won’t be able to play against the Foxes, even if a negative test emerges on Thursday.
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Salah is Liverpool’s most devastating attacking player, certainly in terms of numbers – he has 104 goals and 39 assists in 165 appearances – so his likely absence is a huge blow.
Leicester are top of the table currently and brimming with confidence, while the Reds are already without the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez.
Salah being out means in-form Diogo Jota could play in a front-three with Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, potentially taking up his teammate’s right-sided berth.
There is the option of Jurgen Klopp sticking with his 4-2-3-1 formation, however, which could even mean a start for Xherdan Shaqiri, with the Swiss either playing out wide or in a No.10 role.
