Mohamed Salah back in training ahead of Arsenal clash

Mohamed Salah is expected to be available for Liverpool’s trip to the Emirates tomorrow night as his side look to profit on title rivals Manchester City dropping points on Monday night.

Salah was forced off prematurely in the Reds’ two-nil victory away to Graham Potter’s Brighton at the weekend, after scoring a penalty to put the game beyond doubt.

The Egyptian sustained a knee injury after stretching for a loose ball but was reported to have told his manager Jürgen Klopp that it was “not serious.”

Speaking on Tuesday ahead of the game against Arsenal, Klopp provided a positive update as quoted by The Athletic.

“Mo is a tough cookie. We were quite happy and lucky,” he said easing the concern likely felt by many a Liverpool fan.

"“Swollen, painful, today less so. Got a message before the presser he’s ready to train. We’ll see how that looks.”"

Liverpool’s top scorer this season has enjoyed a relatively unmarked record in regard to injury lay-offs since arriving from Roma in 2017, and his boss will be keen to retain this.

With that in mind, it isn’t inconceivable that the Egyptian may be rested from the start in Wednesday’s game, although the Liverpool faithful may see it that way.

Can Liverpool afford to rest Mohamed Salah?

The arrival and subsequent impact of Luis Díaz has certainly lessened the blow to Klopp’s side if they were to lose the likes of the previously irreplaceable Salah and Mané for a sustained period.

However, considering the chance to go within a point of league leaders City – ahead of their top of the table clash next month – and Arsenal’s good form, the German manager may view this as too good of an opportunity to squander.

Klopp has favoured Mané and Salah while rotating the use of both Jota and Díaz of late but is evidently undecided on the ideal combination of his attacking trifecta.

The former has experienced a dip in form since returning from his victorious AFCON campaign and Salah himself has been below his usually all-conquering standards.

Opposing manager Mikel Arteta has shored up a previously leaky Arsenal backline. The Gunners currently boast the fifth-best defence in the Premier League having conceded just 29 goals.

Taking this into account, you’d have to assume Klopp would be reluctant to rest his key offensive assets, but added responsibility to both Jota and Díaz could prove a profitable move.

During AFCON, Jota was afforded the lead role and saw his level rise as a result which may be in the back of his manager’s mind ahead of the must-win clash.