Liverpool's late win at Newcastle comes at a price
Sunday 5 May 2019 08:19, UK
Mohamed Salah is a major doubt for Liverpool's Champions League semi-final second leg with Barcelona after being stretchered off with a head injury against Newcastle, while Roberto Firmino has been confirmed out of the tie at Anfield.
Salah was stretchered off amid much concern in the second half of the 3-2 win at St James' Park, live on Sky Sports, after he suffered a blow to the head in a challenge with goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
The 26-year-old Egyptian laid motionless on the ground for several minutes before moving and talking to Liverpool medical staff, and was then taken off the field in the 73rd minute.
After the Reds returned to the top of the Premier League, with Manchester City still to play on Monday Night Football, Klopp said: "He (Salah) got the hip of the goalkeeper on his head.
"He was on the ground, the doctor had to make the decision and that was to take him off. We accepted that, of course.
"He was sitting in the dressing room watching the game, so he was then fine, but, of course, we have to wait because he got a proper knock in that situation."
Strike-partner Firmino, who started on the bench for the 3-0 first-leg defeat at the Nou Camp on Wednesday, had been replaced in the starting line-up at Newcastle by Daniel Sturridge.
Ahead of kick-off, Klopp admitted to Sky Sports that it was "not really likely" that the Brazilian will make the second leg next week - and at full-time he confirmed "he will not be ready for Tuesday and the rest of the season".
Liverpool face a huge task to overturn such a deficit, even with the strongest side intact, after Lionel Messi's two brilliant goals inspired Barcelona to a comprehensive victory in Spain.
Salah was quiet in that game but impressed in his 73 minutes against Newcastle and scored his side's second goal on 28 minutes.
A Virgil van Dijk header gave Liverpool a 13-minute lead before Christian Atsu and Salomon Rondon provided Newcastle's equalisers, and then substitute Divock Origi won the game for the visitors on 86 minutes.
