Salah returns to action for Liverpool days before Man City showdown

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Mohamed Salah played for more than 16 minutes on his return from injury Thursday, nearly adding gloss to Liverpool's impressive 5-1 victory over Sparta Prague with a goal that was later disallowed for offside.

He should now have a decent shot of playing in Sunday's Premier League title clash against Manchester City, who are one point behind Liverpool in second.

Salah replaced Luis Diaz in the 74th minute with Liverpool already holding a sizeable advantage in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie in Prague.

It was the Egyptian's first appearance since a 4-1 win over Brentford on Feb. 17 and only his second for the club since New Year's Day.

Salah suffered the initial hamstring injury while representing his country at the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

Liverpool fared well in his absence, beating Luton Town and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, Chelsea in the League Cup final, and Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round.

He's scored 19 goals for Liverpool in 29 matches across all competitions this season.