Mo Salah Stretchered off After Suffering Apparent Head Injury vs. Newcastle

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Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah was stretchered off during the Reds’ 3-2 win over Newcastle United on Saturday with an apparent head injury:

The Egypt international went down after a heavy collision with goalkeeper Martin Dubravka in the 68th minute at St James’ Park with the score at 2-2. He was replaced by Divock Origi.

Carl Markham at the Press Association offered some more details:

The news will be a huge blow to Liverpool at a vital part of the season. Salah had earlier scored his 22nd Premier League goal of the season with the Reds needing a win to go above Manchester City in the title race:

Liverpool play their final Premier League game of the season on Sunday against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield.

However, before then they take on Barcelona in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final trailing 3-0 from the first leg at the Camp Nou.

Manager Jurgen Klopp has already said he is likely to be without Firmino for the second leg against Barcelona, according to Rory O’Callaghan at Sky Sports News.

The Reds will want to have the Egypt international available, as he has been the team’s most productive forward since he returned to England last season.

Formerly of Chelsea, he developed into a world-class forward at AS Roma and powered the Reds to last year’s UEFA Champions League final.

He’s a crucial part of the attacking trident alongside Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, and with limited depth available behind Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, his loss is a major blow.

Daniel Sturridge has flashed his potential but has had plenty of injury troubles himself, and he lacks the versatility that makes Salah such a special player. Origi helped give Liverpool the lead in the 86th minute, jumping with Jamaal Lascelles as the ball deflected in for a dramatic late goal.