Jurgen Klopp confirms injury scare for Mohamed Salah and could be without Daniel Sturridge for midweek clash

Jurgen Klopp confirmed that Mohamed Salah was close to picking up a hamstring injury when he was substituted during Liverpool's 1-1 draw against Everton last weekend on 10 December.

The German manager was criticised for taking off the Reds' top marksman 67 minutes into the game after he had given them the lead in the first half. But the manager revealed that he was taken off as a precaution as he was close to suffering an injury.

Salah being ruled out for the upcoming festive period fixtures, which includes a visit to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal on 23 December, would have been a major blow. Klopp, however, is hopeful he made the right call soon enough and that the Egyptian international will be available for their upcoming clashes.

Liverpool face West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday, 13 December, and Klopp will have to decide whether to give the Reds' £36.9m summer signing a breather in order to keep him fresh for their visit to the south coast to take on Bournemouth on Sunday, 17 December.

"I took Mo Salah off because he had a hamstring a little bit," Klopp said ahead of the Reds' clash against the Baggies, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.

"Then everyone said, 'How can you take him off?' and stuff like this. I don't go out and say, 'Yeah, but he is close to being injured.'

"He is not at the moment, thank God. Hopefully, we took him off early enough," the German coach added.

Klopp, meanwhile, is certain to be without Joel Matip for the clash against West Brom, with the defender ruled out with a thigh injury. The Cameroonian was initially ruled out until the start of the New Year, but the manager is hopeful that he can return for some of their fixtures during the festive period.

Daniel Sturridge also was not available for the game against Everton and it is likely that he will again miss out after Klopp confirmed that the injured striker could not attend training this week. However, he did not rule out the possibility of the England international returning to the matchday squad.

"It could be possible that Joel will be back for some of our Christmas games," Klopp was quoted as saying by the Liverpool Echo.

"I really hope so but it's not for sure at this stage. The fact he's running again outside is a good sign. If nothing else happens, then he will be close," he said about the Cameroon defender.

"Daniel didn't train, it's only a very minor thing. We will see if he's involved," Klopp said regarding Sturridge's injury.