Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk hobbled out of Liverpool’s FA Cup win over Chelsea indicating signs of injury. The Reds gaffer cleared the air around the situation in a post-match interview.
Reds’ FA Cup Triumph
On Saturday, Liverpool won their second trophy of the season that was strikingly identical to their first.
The Reds and Chelsea played 120 fascinating but goalless minutes at Wembley, only for Liverpool to win the trophy on penalties, as they did in the Carabao Cup final. After Mason Mount missed for Chelsea, Kostas Tsimikas scored the game-winning penalty kick.
The Merseyside giants’ quadruple hopes are still alive. Although, they virtually are out of the Premier League title race. And. they would be hoping Man city drops some points to achieve the unprecedented four.
Klopp provides Salah and Van Dijk Injury Updates
Jurgen Klopp has eased fears about Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk’s fitness for Liverpool’s Champions League final against Real Madrid on May 28. He stated that the two players are ‘sort of OK’ after being substituted in the FA Cup Final penalty shoot-out victory over Chelsea. And that their replacement was more of a precaution.
Salah was pulled out of the Cup Final after only 33 minutes owing to a groin strain. Van Dijk, the center-back, could not play extra time due to a muscular ailment.
After Kostas Tsimikas scored the clinching spot-kick in the 6-5 shoot-out triumph, both players walked onto the pitch to celebrate with the rest of Klopp’s men.
Even though Salah and Van Dijk are unlikely to feature in Liverpool’s Premier League match against Southampton. Klopp remains confident about their full recovery.
Klopp told the reporters:
I think [Salah, Van Dijk] kind of OK, I don’t think they will be ready for Tuesday, although to be honest… I don’t think they would have been ready for Tuesday anyway! But I think they are alright, it was more of a precaution. Mo felt something, said I could carry on and I had to make a decision, I said no… if you’re feeling something on the pitch, it’s not going to get better [if you keep playing], staying on is not the best treatment! With Virgil, it was more clear: 90 minutes yes, 120 minutes no. But what a situation, you bring on Joel Matip! Oh my god! That’s really cool. So, all fine.
The Egyptian King also responded positively when asked by the reporters whether he would be back for the UCL final against the Los Blancos.
Liverpool has won two trophies this season, the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, and is still chasing Premier League and Champions League glory. Although, Premier League seems a little out of reach. They have a real chance at another European Glory when they face Real Madrid on 28th May.
