FIFA World Cup 2018: Mohamed Salah Ready to Play Through Pain at World Cup – Dejan Lovren
Jun 5, 2018 at 4:28 PM
Dejan Lovren has delivered a statement regarding Mohamed Salah which will be nothing less than music for the Egypt superstar’s fans.
The Croatia international said Salah is ready to play through the pain barrier to lead Egypt’s World Cup charge this summer in Russia.
Salah is currently in Spain, recovering from the shoulder injury he suffered during the Champions League final against Real Madrid nine days ago.
He had hurt his shoulder in a clash with Sergio Ramos. Salah was grappling with Ramos, and he landed awkwardly. He got up and tried to play on but could not. It later got revealed he had a suspected dislocated shoulder.
On Sunday, he handed a huge boost, by tweeting a picture of himself with the caption “good feelings” before it got confirmed on Monday that he was part of Egypt’s 23-man squad for the tournament.
And now Lovren has further boosted the hopes by delivering an encouraging message.
The defender is one of the 25-year old’s closest friends at Liverpool, and speaking at Anfield after Croatia’s international friendly with Brazil, he too suggested Salah would be fit for the World Cup.
“I’m positive,” Lovren smiled. “I have some news, but I will keep it to myself!
“I haven’t spoken to him a lot. But hopefully, he can be fit for the World Cup. Because I know, it means a lot to him to play for his national team.”
Egypt starts their campaign against Uruguay on June 15.
It looks likely that Salah would miss his country’s opener. However, he should be fit for the clash against Russia on June 19.
“Mo is the type of player who wants to play even when he feels pain,” Lovren said. “He showed that this season. There were a couple of games where people didn’t know [he was in pain], but in the end, he scored a hat-trick or whatever!
“Of course it was disappointing for him that he couldn’t finish the game in Kiev, but he’s positive, and hopefully he can move on and play for the national team,” he added.
As for Croatia, they have their task cut out at the group stage. They will be up against Argentina, Nigeria and Euro 2016 sensations Iceland in Group D.