The Telegraph Two of the surprise packages of this clay-court season have been British – initially Dan Evans, who made a deep run in Monte Carlo, and more lately Cameron Norrie, who played his second final in three weeks on Sunday. Unfortunately, Norrie wasn’t able to land a maiden ATP title in Lyon. But then he was up against Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has been the dominant force of 2021 outside the slams, and now stands at No 1 in the table of most rankings points gained since January 1. Nevertheless, it had been a hugely creditable effort for Norrie to go this far, especially when you consider that he took out top seed Dominic Thiem on Thursday, and then trounced big-hitting Russian Karen Khachanov in Saturday’s semi-final, losing only two games in the process. Norrie has come to clay late in his career, but it feels like this is developing into his favourite surface. He has one of the heaviest left-handed forehands in the game, loaded with top-spin, and uses it like a miniature version of Rafael Nadal. The result has been a tally of 14 wins and only four losses since he began his European clay-court swing in Barcelona. So while the French Open, which starts next Sunday, has traditionally been a graveyard of British hopes, there are reasons to hope that this year’s event could deliver some more positive results. Norrie’s previous final in Estoril had been a nervewracking affair which he eventually lost on a deciding-set tie-break to the more experienced Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas. Sunday was more straightforward for Tsitsipas, who needed only 69 minutes to hammer home a 6-3, 6-3 victory. It was Tsitsipas’ second title of the clay-court sequence, after he won Monte Carlo in mid-April, taking out Evans in the semi-final along the way. He has become a serious contender to upset the establishment – specifically Nadal and Novak Djokovic – at Roland Garros over the next few weeks. “I felt in good shape from the beginning of the tournament,” said Tsitsipas afterwards. “I am proud of today’s match, I knew it would be a difficult one against Cameron, who has been showing great tennis this week. He has been winning against good players and showing what the left hand can do on clay. “It was not an easy match today. I had to handle the nerves and I am proud of my performance and the way I stayed focused towards my goal.” On this year’s results, meanwhile, both Evans and Norrie stand among the world’s 20 most successful men. Evans is at No 16 and Norrie No 14. The next challenge for them both is to convert that ATP Tour form into a deep run at a major.<doc-sep>Liverpool’s left-back and Scotland international Andy Robertson has talked about Mohamed Salah’s injury following the Reds’ win over Newcastle. Liverpool fought to a late 3-2 victory over Newcastle at St. James’ Park on Saturday evening to go top of the league with 94 points. Premier League top scorer Mohamed Salah was substituted in the second half due to a head injury and Andy Robertson has commented on the severity of the injury. READ: Jürgen Klopp provides update on Mohamed Salah’s injury “Horrible. It’s not nice because he doesn’t stay down easily and he doesn’t get stretchered off a lot, but I spoke to him in there and he was up to be fair and was awake at least. “I think it was just concussion or whatever, I’m not a doctor. Maybe that knocked us for five minutes but at least we got the win for him,” said Robertson. The Reds host Barcelona in the Champions League at Anfield on Tuesday as they look to come back from a three-goal deficit.<doc-sep>Manu Fernandez/Associated Press Mohamed Salah will be unavailable to play for Liverpool against Barcelona on Tuesday after he suffered a concussion against Newcastle United on Saturday. Reds boss Jurgen Klopp confirmed as much on Monday, per The Times' Paul Joyce: The Egypt international has been one of the driving forces behind Liverpool's back-to-back strong campaigns. His first season at Anfield ended in disappointment when he was injured in the 2018 UEFA Champions League final loss against Real Madrid after tangling with Sergio Ramos. He watched from the sidelines as his team lost 3-1. One year later, after his team lost the first leg of the semi-finals 3-0 to Barcelona, the former Chelsea, Fiorentina and Roma star has again suffered heartbreak with the head injury in the 3-2 win over Newcastle. The 26-year-old has no extended injury history, and both injuries were outliers and the result of freak accidents. This latest setback will test Liverpool's depth in the second leg, as the Reds have been reliant on the trio of Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino for the last two years. Klopp has already confirmed Firmino won't be available for Tuesday's clash, too. Videos you might like It will come as a relief Salah's campaign has not been brought to a premature end, though, as he'll likely be able to face Wolverhampton Wanderers on the final day of the Premier League season as his team bid for the title.<doc-sep>
(CNN) It was a sight that gave Liverpool fans plenty of reason for concern as the Reds approach the defining week in the club's season. Leading English Premier League scorer Mo Salah left the field on a stretcher after suffering a head injury in the second half of Liverpool's victory against Newcastle United on Saturday. Manager Jurgen Klopp has said the forward will be assessed before a decision is made on whether he will face Barcelona in the second leg of the Champions League semifinal on Tuesday, where a 3-0 deficit must be overturned if Klopp's men are to reach the final. Salah is placed on a stretcher after suffering a head injury against Newcastle. Salah scores Liverpool's second against Newcastle. "He was OK," Klopp said after the match, further revealing that the player, who scored Liverpool's second goal in a thrilling 3-2 win, watched the rest of the match in the dressing room. "The doctor had to make a decision - on the pitch or off the pitch - and the decision was off the pitch and we accept that of course. "When we came in, he was sitting in the dressing room and had watched the game. He was then fine but of course we have to wait. He got a proper knock in that situation. We'll have to see." In an Instagram post, Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren further eased fans' worries. "Yes he is okay. (He) just can't remember who I am. Don't worry he will be fine, Mo is a monster," was Lovren's reply to a concerned fan. Salah's replacement, Divock Origi, was the matchwinner at Newcastle, scoring the late winner which ensures that the English Premier League title will be decided on the final day of the season. In a blow to Liverpool's Champions League hopes, however, Klopp confirmed that the injured Roberto Firmino would not be fit to face Lionel Messi and co at Anfield on Tuesday.