Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp confirmed on Monday that Salah will not feature in Tuesday’s crunch Champions League showdown.
Salah was stretchered off during Liverpool’s win over Newcastle on Saturday and Klopp has revealed the Egyptian will not be risked at Anfield.
Klopp said: “It’s concussion so he wouldn’t be allowed to play. We cannot do it.”
The news comes as a massive blow after it was confirmed Roberto Firmino is also out injured as the Reds attempt to recover from being 3-0 down from the first leg.
When asked how his side will approach the Barcelona fixture with two key players on the sidelines, Klopp admitted the situation is far from ideal.
“The approach? We try to win the game. That makes sense,” Klopp added.
“The situation is not what you want to have.
“You can’t play against Barcelona and tell the world, ‘watch this.’
“We try to win the game. If at a specific moment they give us an opportunity to go to the next round we try to do it.
“Together with our supporters it’s been a long season. There’s a little chance to make it longer but these are the last two home games of an incredible season.
“We should celebrate it with a good performance on the pitch and in the stands.”
Liverpool need to score at least three goals to have any chance of progressing to their second consecutive Champions League final, but Salah’s absence is a huge blow for Klopp with pressure now piled on Sadio Mane.
As well as the fitness crisis in their own camp, Klopp is wary of the threat that Barcelona will pose at Anfield – and singled out Lionel Messi as the main danger.
Klopp continued: “Wherever Messi is, he will be difficult to deal with.
“If you take risks against Barcelona they punish you.
“You have to be solid all of the time.”