News

Salah tests positive for coronavirus – Egyptian FA

Mohamed Salah (£12.4m) has tested positive for coronavirus while on international duty with Egypt.

The Egyptian Football Association announced on Friday that the Liverpool midfielder returned a positive test ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Togo but is asymptomatic.

The (translated) statement read:

The medical swab conducted on the mission of our first national football team showed that our international player, Mohamed Salah, the star of Liverpool, was infected with the coronavirus after his test came out positive – although he does not suffer from any symptoms.

[He] was subject to the medical protocol after the coordination of the national team doctor, Dr Muhammad Abu Al-Ola, with his English club, Liverpool, in addition to isolating him in his room and also isolating all contacts.

In a later announcement, Egypt confirmed that a second test backed up the findings of the first:

At the time of writing, Liverpool have yet to confirm the news.

Barring any further developments, Salah will now have to undergo a period of self-isolation and will very likely be unavailable for the Gameweek 9 visit of Leicester City.

The Reds are already injury-ravaged heading into that fixture, with Joe Gomez (£5.4m) joining Virgil van Dijk (£6.3m) on the sidelines and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.4m) also a major doubt with a calf problem.

Sadio Mane (£12.0m) of course tested positive for coronavirus last month, returning to training at Melwood after a 10-day period of self-isolation and featuring for the Reds in the Merseyside derby, 15 days after his initial diagnosis.

Salah could feasibly return in Gameweek 10, then, if a similar timeframe of recovery, isolation and return to training pans out – although there is also the small matter of a flight back to England in between.

We have already seen West Bromwich Albion’s Callum Robinson (£5.5m) withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad after returning a positive test of his own.

Wolves’ Conor Coady (£5.0m) is also self-isolating after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

Earlier on Friday, Ireland revealed that Alan Browne had returned a positive coronavirus test after playing against England – although the Football Association of Ireland added that “no close contacts of the player” had been identified.

1,971 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    PLAY UP POMPEY!

    1. PompeyUpNorth!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Well said!!! PUP!!!

    2. TufnellChimes
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Pompey Play Up!

  2. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Are we selling or benching Salah?

    1. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      His next two fixtures are Brighton and wolves. Not the best defences to be up against. Might be time to move him on...

    2. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Benching

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Will wait for more news

    4. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Benching if he’s only missing a game. I’ve got a free transfer, but think it’s finally Brewster’s time to shine!

    5. PompeyUpNorth!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Selling me as on WC, then but back as he will drop a bit

      1. ilikewud
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Doubt it

        1. PompeyUpNorth!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          What? You don’t think he’ll drop? If so he’s gone from -5% to -20% on FPL stats in an hour for info and most are jumping to Bruno so he will rise soon... I think he’ll drop .1 pretty soon and possibly .2 by next week but we will see

    6. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Sell sell sell. Too expensive for the bench

    7. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Definitely sell

  3. Sharkytect
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Best week ever to have saved two free transfers

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      You bet

    2. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Or wildcard

      1. The Point About It Is
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I am on wildcard but it's not so easy - get rid and then have to buy back?
        maybe free hit is the chip to play this GW

        1. AnfieldLad
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I think it’s pretty easy on wildcard. I’d have Bruno as a placeholder for Salah

          1. The Point About It Is
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Have Bruno anyway. Maybe take in KDB 1 week early

    3. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      This. I've been rolling a FT for three weeks and did Ings to Wilson instead of Vardy in order to save the extra FT over IB. That's worked out well! Have the WC too if any more go down.

  4. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Kane to Vardy Done!!!

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Big call. Hope he doesn't get covid.

  5. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Soo premier league shutdown gonna happen again or what?

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      What for?

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      because Salah acted extremely irresponsible while in Egypt? No chance.

  6. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    This is the least surprising turn up for the books of all time

  7. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is there a hope that Salah could start vs Leicester?

    1. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No chance

    2. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No

    3. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nope

    4. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Doesn't seem so. Will need some quarantine time, which'll be 2 weeks in the UK right?

    5. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No. Best bet is back for Brighton. Same time frame Mane recovered in, 15 days.

    6. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      It could yet be a false positive, will be tested again.

      1. AnfieldLad
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I think that’s a bit optimistic if you’ve seen the wedding video

        1. Gregor
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Yeah maybe, but there is hope!

    7. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Almost 0. Unless he returns a negative test and the results were wrong.

    8. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      cheers

  8. Kloppage Time
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah to Bruno (c) then

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Aye

  9. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Seems kind of like a really good time to have not sold Son or Kane then really :0

    1. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      ?

    2. Warbling Wendy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      All of those who have already moved to beat price rises will have a tear in their eyes now

      1. Pacer.
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        and Bruno now becomes a much less worrying captain option with easily the most popular choice out

      2. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Well its just silly to worry about a .1 loss or rise when there are so many value options out there . No sympathy for the guys that appear in the early hours of the morning cheering the .1 Up

  10. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    If on WC and owns Salah from the start (12.0-12.4) would you ?

    A Keep Salah and use the bench
    B Buy short term replacement (eg Mane, Rashford etc) + cash to get him back

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Exactly the same position, I’m thinking to get Fernandes and take the hit on value lost. Best case scenario for him is 2 weeks out.

    2. Breaking FPL
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Would def sell if on a wildcard

      Bank the 0.2m. Salah could drop in price over the next coupe of weeks anyway

    3. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Salah will drop to less than 12.2 by the time you get him back guaranteed.

      1. Tango74
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Maybe 0.1 drop but I am maxed out on my WC

        Boo hoo

      2. Beavis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I doubt that

    4. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      In same boat. Should only miss Leicester game so I bench him as I cannot afford to get him back if I get Mane

    5. In and Out
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Same position here, pretty sure he’ll drop 0.1 if confirmed he’ll miss the game so worth a transfer out

  11. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah goes to brothers wedding and probably spent the night posing for photos with selfie hunters. What a tool.

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Hmm but isn't there a long incubation period? Im hearing rumors of other pool players being covid positive too. Could be something he got from there

      1. The Mandalorian
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        That's not the point he has a duty to the club as a professional sportsman and is very well paid in the process.

        1. Warbling Wendy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          His own health and that of the people around him come above any nonsensical duties you feel he has as a sportsman. Just because he is way more than most others isn't a factor either.

        2. Zimo
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I mean to him his family comes first probably. Having a big public wedding was wrong yes but it was probably not Salahs decision. He just went to his brothers wedding as would anyone else.

        3. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          His brothers wedding takes priority over club and country for Mo Salah. Rightly. Wedding scheduled for international break.

          1. Don Van Vliet
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            In light of the ongoing pandemic, any mass gathering is irresponsible, let's be honest.

            Selfish and short-sighted.

  12. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    If he is showing no symptoms then he should be back in gw10, right?

    So just bench gw9.....I'm already on - 4....

    Thanks

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Haven't got symptoms so far ... who knows the next few days?

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        *He hasn't

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      It’s a huge amount to bench

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        De Bruyne maybe. Sur ed wait and see who survives for GW9.

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Misses Leicester and Atalanta if symptom free and tests negative.

  13. Warbling Wendy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    This is brilliant, covid is the ultimate destroyer of the early transfer makers I loath so deeply

    1. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I've been getting more and more anxious about TAA out, and Ziyech and Watkins in as they creep closer to rises but have held strong. What a reward!

      1. Warbling Wendy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I'm also looking to move for Watkins this week but I've held fire - high five

      2. Riverside Red
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        What is the reward??

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yet most people who haven’t moved early will just hold him anyway? And probably bring in Bruno.... who the early transfer crew brought in anyway

    3. Riverside Red
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      How does your statement stack up with an early tranfer of Ziyech in for Pulisic or Havertz?

    4. Jarnathan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nobody is going to sell a player because they miss a week unless they didn't want that player anyway.

      Nobody is going to sell Grealish if he gets Covid

  14. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I can put off buying Salah by another week then.

  15. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah to Bruno(C) by 95% of players?

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      95% of casuals probably

    2. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nah. Salah > Bruno followed by Son > Salah will be the chosen route.

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Reply to flair.

  16. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah to Bruno (C) for a hit or just play Brewster?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Brewster is a waste of a place.

  17. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah Out? OMG FH activated... already on -4...

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Sit Chuck , sit !

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        😛

    2. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bench him?

    3. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Essential to sell

  18. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    More decisions to make, more chances to make up ground! 😀

  19. Forgetmeknot
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    With this news does this make Jota a no brainer if on WC?

    1. Le Bluff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No, I don't think so. You'd almost be pencilling in 2 future transfers: Jota out and Salah in.

      Wouldn't want Jota for the long term.

      1. Forgetmeknot
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yep good points? I suppose the big question with this plan is less about Salah and more about Jota (and how much game time he will get)

        1. Forgetmeknot
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Ignore the ‘?’

      2. Jarnathan
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Why would you want to sell Jota? I think he's going to play regularly

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      For one PL game?

      1. Forgetmeknot
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I don’t think Klopp will drop him anytime soon

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Nor should he. But looks like Jota's best chance of being nailed on is to replace Firmino. That'll probably not happen permanently unless Firmino gets injured, is rested or tactics change depending on opposition. Get a more nailed on, if boring, midfielder for this WC.

    3. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      WC ≠ FH

  20. tafrère
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah coroned makes Bruno (C) a lot easier now. Taking away the fun though.

  21. Le Bluff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah news could be very welcome for wildcarders (myself included).

    Had pencilled in midfield heavy-hitters of KDB, Salah and Bruno but was sorry to leave Sterling out with City's upcoming fixtures.

    If Salah is out... KDB, Sterling and Bruno would be the way to go. With leaving enough in the bank to bring Salah back down the line.

    1. FPL_Motty
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      When you say down the line, you mean literally 1 gw later..

  22. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah deserves a massive, massive fine.. What the hell is that behavior during a global pandemic where everyone is forced to put their entire lives on hold in...

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      So he can't live his life anymore lol? You realise this will never go away right ? So life on hold forever. Got it.

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Mods please get this troll out of here

        1. Zimo
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          He's technically not wrong. It's a virus that spreads like the flu or the cold. It'll never go away.

          1. Fudgy
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            You are always bang on pal

          2. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            It will go away eventually. One day we will all be dead.

            1. Debauchy
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Yay , I need rest

              1. Epic Fail
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                As a child my original plan was to live forever but I'm not too sure it's going to work out.

                1. Debauchy
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 4 months ago

                  mine was to live to 40 lol worked out so far

                  1. Epic Fail
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 13 Years
                    3 years, 4 months ago

                    lol you set the bar a bit low there. Though when I was a kid 40 seemed ancient to me at the time. Now I try to convince people it's young.

          3. F_Ivanovic
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            The virus won't go away but the severity of it likely will. Either it becomes less deadly, less contagious or (hopefully) both. This isn't the first time the world has had a flu like pandemic after all. The 1918 pandemic was (prior to COVID) the most severe pandemic in recent history and that lasted a little over 2 years - and this pandemic could very well last a similar time frame. It won't be forever that we have to live life like this.

      2. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Don't feed the troll.

      3. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        On the salary he earns his life is Liverpool and attending a wedding was grossly irresponsible

      4. Jarnathan
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        This is scientifically wrong.

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not often Bross lol , but agree mate

    3. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Oh shut up and be happy football is being played, if people were thinking like you we would not gave PL or FPL

      1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Have*

      2. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Id rather football be canceled if it meant I could live my own life like before. Instead normal people have their lives on pause, losing their jobs and mental health while big pampered mental midget footballers are allowed to act like morons

        1. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          On the mark again , damn but agree

        2. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Well you will not have your old normal life back and it's not footballer s' fault. Be happy we at least have football, imagine how boring would this all be without it.

    4. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      People on here think footballers should be able to do what they like and being a professional sportsman with a legal contract etc means nothing.

    5. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Could not agree more.

      1. Don Van Vliet
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        With Bross*

    6. FPL_Motty
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Someone at Liverpool has to be responsible. Seeing the videos of salahs brothers wedding, its a massive crowd of everyone as close together as possible. Salah is being paid millions to act as a role model and has a responsibility to his football club. Are the rules in Egypt different and they don't have to socially distance? I imagine not.. so its all pretty irresponsible behaviour to be honest. I would agree, he should probably be fined internally or someone at Liverpool should.

  23. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A. Salah to Buno
    B. Brewster to Watkins

  24. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    COVID + FPL = drama

  25. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Will Salah definitely be out for the Leicester game?

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No. Could be false positive. Happened with Ajax players.

    2. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No if false positive. Definite yes if not

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks both, could be a great opportunity to finally get KdB or Sterling

        1. Fudgy
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Kdb for me

  26. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    If not getting Bruno in, who is the best captain option? Grealish? DCL?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Kane

      1. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        He is reliable at the minute. Just see that game as unpredictable and more likely to be low scoring.

    2. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      DCL

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Who else have you?

  27. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    No Fernandes will be terrifying

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Why hasn't he risen in price yet. It baffles me. R people that biased against united ._.

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        tough price point and lots of other alternatives

  28. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah->Mane is the obvious transfer.

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      yeah. I'm much more tempted to go that way that get Bruno in tbh.

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nah.

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        No,because you already own him?

  29. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah is dropping so fast lmao

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ridiculous what if it's a glass positive like Tadic... Ffs people are idiots

      1. Fudgy
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        False not glass. Weird auto correct

  30. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    The Egyptian FA have now deleted their statement and have put out a different announcement, saying three players from Egypt and their opponents on Saturday, Togo, have tested positive and will have a second test before the match.

    https://twitter.com/AnfieldWatch/status/1327283210204704770

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yup called it. False positive

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Fudgy called it

      2. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        PCR is a joke I told you

        1. Fudgy
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Yep all lies mate

    2. Skonto Rigga
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yup - although the Egypt national side's account still explicitly mentions Salah (maybe they just haven't got round to deleting it yet).

      https://twitter.com/Pharaohs/status/1327271559283826689