Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has cleared over growing concerns over Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah, saying the player was rested because he was injured, and could be a major doubt on Friday.

The 25-year-old was not listed in the Reds’ hard earned 2-1 win over stubborn Burnley on New Year day as he recovered from ankle injury.

The Egyptian international who has been in sensational form since his record move to Anfield from Roma in the summer, suffered a knee injury in the Reds’ come-from-behind win over Leicester and was missing in action in the training in the days that followed.

Klopp was concerned after the match, saying: ‘I don’t know in this moment exactly what it is but he was limping. That’s never a good sign.’

Salah who scored twice against Leicester City on Boxing Day to retake his tally in the league to 17 goals, will likely miss action when Liverpool lock horn with Everton in the Third round of the FA Cup on Friday.

The former Chelsea flop will be expected back to Anfield before Friday as he will be travelling to Ghana to take part in the Confederation of African Football Player of the Year awards, which he is touted to win.

“Phil and Mo are injured, not massively but enough for today [to be] no chance. And [they are] a doubt, at least a doubt, for Everton,” Klopp said.

Salah is just a goal behind Tottenham Hotspur sensation Harry Kane who has scored 18 goals in the EPL so far this season.