Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah faces a race against time to be fit for this weekend’s Merseyside derby.

Salah limped out of Wednesday’s Champions League win over Manchester City with a knee problem, and has since undergone extensive rehabilitation at Melwood to ensure he is fit for the return fixture next Tuesday at The Etihad.

And manager Jurgen Klopp – while refusing to rule out the Egyptian for Saturday’s derby – say’s he will play on the side of caution to ensure Salah is available for next week’s European crunch match.

“I don’t think it makes sense to talk about what we do with the boys in rehab,” said the Reds boss.

“But you can imagine we have tried everything to make him available. There are still 23 hours to go until we start (the match). Let’s see what happens.

“I cannot make Mo available because it’s a derby. I’d never do that. You cannot push a player through a game. I don’t think any of our supporters want him to do that.

“If he’s a doubt he will not be involved. If they are not 100% fit, they cannot be involved.

“We are used to playing every three days. That’s not the problem. If you’re available, you’re involved. If you’re not available, you’re not available.

“You cannot do it like this. Anything can happen overnight, a player can get ill or something like that. You can only be focused on the next game and that’s Everton.”

Salah’s loss however, could be Danny Ings’ gain.

The former Burnley striker looks likely to take the place of the Reds top scorer to make his first start for the club since October 2015.

“Thank God Danny is here and in good shape,” said Klopp.

“I would say I will not guarantee it, but it doesn’t look too bad that he could start tomorrow. It’s great for me as well.”