In a moment of apparent contemplation, Mohamed Salah, the star forward, stood alone on the field at Abidjan’s Felix Houphouet-Boigny stadium with hands on hips. As Ghana pressed forward, the significance of what he was about to reveal seemed to cross his mind.

Soon after, Salah found himself on the ground, nursing his left hamstring and signaling to the Egyptian bench. Head shaking, he was assisted to his feet by two physiotherapists. The implications of Salah’s injury are profound, given Liverpool’s current standing atop the Premier League and their involvement in multiple competitions, including the Europa League, FA Cup, and EFL Cup. A fit Salah was the fervent hope of fans as the mid-season tournament progressed.

Social media platforms, particularly Twitter, became a canvas for fans expressing their heartbreak over Salah’s injury. One user pleaded, “God, please no,” while another lamented, “It’s over, man.”

The 31-year-old appeared to suffer a suspected hamstring injury just before halftime in the clash on January 18. Mostafa Fathi replaced Salah, and the absence of the Egypt captain was immediately felt when West Ham forward Mohammed Kudus scored a remarkable goal just a minute after Salah’s departure.

Salah’s injury not only deals a significant blow to Egypt, currently at the bottom of Group B, but also materializes as a nightmare for Liverpool fans. With the team excelling in various competitions, Salah’s fitness becomes a critical concern for both country and club.