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Salah's World Cup in doubt after 'cynical, horrible' tackle

Mohamed Salah’s World Cup campaign is in doubt after a controversial tackle described as a “disgrace” by some.

The Egyptian star was forced off in the first half of the Champions League final with an apparent shoulder injury.

Salah was pulled down by Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos and fell awkwardly on his left shoulder.

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Ramos drags down Salah. Pic: BeIn
Ramos drags down Salah. Pic: BeIn

Replays showed Ramos holding Salah’s arm beneath his body as the pair crashed to the ground.

Many angry fans took to Twitter to accuse the Real defender of purposely attempting to hurt the Egyptian maestro.

However others hit back, saying Salah was instead holding Ramos, and the resulting injury was in no way intentional.

Footage later emerged of another potentially dirty play from Ramos, who appeared to elbow Liverpool keeper Karius in the head moments before he made a goalkeeping blunder.

After the match, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was asked about the severity of the injury and the chances Salah could play at the World Cup.

If you’re a Liverpool fan, an Egypt fan, or just a soccer fan, you might want to look away:

Nothing is official, but it’s also not wrong to be worried. Salah stayed down on the field writhing in pain, and was attended to by Liverpool’s training staff before being helped up and walking to the sideline.

He tried to come back on, but was down on the field again a minute or two later. This time, he knew he could not continue. There was agony all over his face. He was in tears as he walked off the field.

Salah was replaced by Adam Lallana after 30 minutes, and the Reds went on to lose 3-1.

Salah’s absence in the second half will significantly diminish Liverpool’s attacking threat. In his first season at Anfield, the Egyptian forward broke the Premier League record for goals in a 38-game season with 32.

Now the entire nation of Egypt holds its breath, hoping Salah will be healthy for the country’s first World Cup appearance since 1990. Its first game in Russia is on June 15 against Uruguay.

Later in the first half, Real Madrid right back Dani Carvajal also left the game with a leg injury. He was replaced by Nacho. Carvajal is expected to start for Spain at the World Cup, so his injury is also a concern beyond Saturday.

With Henry Bushnell – Yahoo Sports