Concussion injury rules meant that Mohamed Salah was in the stands at Anfield for Liverpool’s Champions League triumph, watching his team-mates hammer Barcelona 4-0 to reach the final.
Jurgen Klopp had no choice but to leave his top scorer out because of concussion rules in football that stipulate affected players cannot take part in another match for six days.
Mohamed Salah was allowed onto the pitch to celebrate with the squad at full-time.
But FA and Premier League concussion injury rules meant he was not allowed to play after sustaining a worrying head injury in Liverpool’s win at Newcastle.
Mohamed Salah – how do concussion rules in football affect the Liverpool striker?
Under concussion rules in football, play can be stopped for up to three minutes while an injured player receives treatment on the pitch.
The club doctor must be consulted and have the final say before a player is allowed to rejoin play, as Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen did during his side’s Champions League semi-final against Ajax.
Vertonghen’s reintroduction drew criticism towards the club’s medical staff. The dazed defender was eventually withdrawn a few minutes later as he continued to suffer following an accidental clash with Toby Alderweireld.
But will concussion rules mean Liverpool ace Salah can play in the Champions League final in Madrid on Saturday, June 1?
Mohamed Salah Champions League final injury update
Following a nasty collision with Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, Salah lay prone on the St James’ Park turf for several minutes.
He was eventually stretchered from the pitch, ruling him out of a magical Champions League night at Anfield, which arrived just three days after the 3-2 Premier League win.
Salah was anxious to take part in the Champions League semi-final second leg, with manager Jurgen Klopp confirming the Egypt icon was ready to play.
Discussing concussion injury rules, Klopp said: “It’s concussion, so he wouldn’t be allowed to play. We cannot do it.
“He feels okay, but it is not good enough from a medical point of view. That’s all. He’s desperate, everything, but we can’t do it.”
Unless Salah suffers a similar blow, concussion injury rules would allow him to play in Liverpool’s final Premier League fixture of the season at home to Wolves on Sunday.
If fit, he will also be allowed to play in the Champions League final in Madrid on June 1.