Liverpool manager Arne Slot confirmed on Thursday that Mohamed Salah is likely to return to action for the Reds’ upcoming Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Saturday, May 16. The forward’s comeback provides a timely boost as the club enters the final stretch of the campaign.
The Egyptian star has been out of the lineup since suffering a hamstring injury during Liverpool’s 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace last month. Given that Salah is expected to depart Anfield this summer, the setback initially led to concerns that he might have already played his final game for the club, but those fears have since been dismissed.
Medical assessments following the incident revealed that the damage was less severe than first anticipated, clearing the way for his inclusion this week.
Arne Slot Gives Major Mohamed Salah Injury Update
“Mo (Salah) will be available tomorrow but only for a few minutes. Hopefully he can come in,” Slot told reporters ahead of Friday’s trip to Villa.
“Alisson trained with us again, let’s see tomorrow whether he is ready or has to wait one more week. Florian (Wirtz) had a stomach infection and is on antibiotics. Let’s see if he is ready to play tomorrow.”
Simply unsavable. Simply Salah. 😮💨🚀 #LIVCHE ’19 pic.twitter.com/qEehnE8Z79
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 6, 2026
Liverpool, fourth in the league standings and level on 59 points with Villa, can secure a spot in next season’s Champions League if they win at Villa Park, but there is little else for fans of the Merseyside club to look forward to in the final weeks of the campaign.
Slot’s side have been unable to build on last season’s Premier League success and will go without silverware, leading to questions over the Dutch manager’s future at the club.
Asked if he would still be at Anfield next season, Slot said: “I don’t think I am deciding that myself alone. I have every reason to believe that I am the Liverpool manager next season.
“First of all, I am contracted to this club, and second of all from all the talks we are having.
“If you don’t have the best season, especially if you compare it with last season, this has definitely not been a great season. Then it is normal that criticism comes, and we’ve all had our share. That is how things work nowadays, if you don’t win the league.”
Liverpool host Brentford in their final league game of the season on May 24.
(With inputs from Reuters)
