Mohamed Salah is targeting a return from injury in the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City on Saturday.
The 33-year-old announced last week that he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, and it is anticipated he will be given a rousing reception by the champions’ away support at the Etihad Stadium.
Salah missed Liverpool’s defeat at Brighton before the international break with a muscle problem picked up in the Champions League defeat of Galatasaray and was also forced to miss Egypt’s friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Spain.
Manager Arne Slot said he expected Salah to return swiftly and it is understood he is on course to do so ahead of a series of crunch fixtures for the club.
Egypt’s national team director Ibrahim Hassan has speculated that Salah could remain in Europe once he leaves Liverpool.
‘I would prefer him to stay in Europe,’ Hassan told On Sports. ‘I have heard about offers from Paris St-Germain, Bayern Munich and clubs in the Italian league. If he does not receive offers from Europe, then a move to the Saudi league would be a good option, especially with big names such as Cristiano [Ronaldo].’
Liverpool club record signing Alexander Isak is also working towards a return to fitness this week after fracturing a leg at Tottenham in December, although the forthcoming Champions League quarter-final first leg at Paris Saint Germain is considered a more realistic date.
Meanwhile, Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz says he has become a stronger player as a result of the difficulties he encountered on his transfer from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m.
Wirtz struggled with the physicality, but a tailored strength and conditioning programme designed to make him more robust for the Premier League helped him adapt.
‘It wasn’t an easy phase,’ Wirtz told German television show Sportschau.
‘It’s sometimes good that things don’t always go upwards and that you experience a dip and grow stronger because of it.
‘That’s how I see it now as well – it has made me a bit stronger. I had to overcome resistance and adapt. I had to learn to become stronger and hold onto the ball.’
Wirtz starred as Germany beat Switzerland 4-3 in a friendly in Basel last Friday night.
He scored twice and had a hand in the other two goals scored by Julian Nagelsmann’s side.
