Liverpool have confirmed that Mohamed Salah is expected to return from his hamstring injury before the end of the season, easing fears that the forward may have played his last game for the club.
Salah, 33, was forced off during the second half of Saturday's match against Crystal Palace with a suspected hamstring problem. Given that he had announced last month he would leave Liverpool this summer after nine trophy-laden years, there were concerns his Anfield career had ended prematurely.
However, the club released a statement on Wednesday describing the issue as a "minor muscle injury" and said it is "anticipated" that the Egypt international will recover in time to feature again before departing. Liverpool's final match of the Premier League campaign is at home to Brentford on 24 May.
The timeline also means Salah remains on track to captain Egypt at the World Cup this summer.
Since joining from Roma in 2017, Salah has scored 257 goals in 435 appearances for Liverpool, winning two Premier League titles, the Champions League, FA Cup, two EFL Cups, the FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and the Community Shield. He is third on the club's all-time scoring list, behind Ian Rush (346) and Roger Hunt (285).
During his substitution against Palace, Salah took time to applaud the Anfield crowd, sparking fears he might not get another chance to play at home. While a return for Sunday's match against Manchester United at Old Trafford seems unlikely, the latest update offers hope that Salah will appear at Anfield again.
Liverpool host Chelsea on 9 May, travel to Aston Villa on 17 May, and conclude their season against Brentford on 24 May.