Mohamed Salah will not fast in the build-up to Liverpool’s Champions League final with Real Madrid on Saturday, according to the club’s physiotherapist.
The Egyptian is a devout Muslim and has been, as all who follow Islam do, abstaining from eating food and drinking any liquid during daylight hours as part of Ramadan, which began on May 16.
Under Islamic teachings, it is permissible to break your fast “with anything that is adequate need” or if you are travelling during the day – which Salah will be doing.
It had previously been reported in Egypt that Salah would uphold his fasting during the final, which means he would not be allowed to consume anything, even water, in the hours leading up to kick-off in Kiev.
However, Ruben Pons, Liverpool’s physio, has revealed that the 44-goal sensation will be breaking his fast in preparation for the game on both Friday and Saturday.
“We were in Marbella and the nutritionist established a work plan,” he told Spanish radio station Cadena SER. “Tomorrow and the day of the match he won’t, so it’s not going to affect him.”
Salah has not played a game since Ramadan began, with the Reds’ final game of the domestic season – in which he scored his 32nd league goal against Brighton – being played on May 13.
