Mohamed Salah is set to return to Liverpool sooner than expected following concerns over potential injuries while representing Egypt in their upcoming match against Mauritania. The Egyptian national team faced Mauritania in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday, emerging victorious with a 2-0 scoreline, in which Salah contributed by finding the back of the net. However, despite the team’s success, Salah will not participate in their subsequent match scheduled for Tuesday, as he has opted to leave the Egyptian camp and head back to Merseyside before that fixture.
Egypt’s manager, Hossam Hassan, expressed his worries regarding the artificial playing surface at the venue, which holds 8,000 spectators. He highlighted that the condition of the pitch could pose a risk to his players, especially given the physical style of play exhibited by the Mauritanian team. Hassan stated that if any player, including Salah, approaches him with concerns about the playing surface or the physical nature of the upcoming match, he would grant them permission to skip it. This decision is certainly a welcome development for Liverpool, especially for their manager, Arne Slot, as they aim to keep their star player safe and healthy.
In a statement, the Egyptian Football Association confirmed Salah’s early exit from the squad. It read, “The technical staff of the Egyptian national football team, led by Captain Hossam Hassan, held a session with Mohamed Salah, the captain of the Pharaohs. During the session, it was agreed to rest the player from the upcoming match against Mauritania, scheduled for October 15, in the fourth round of the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.”
Liverpool will return to Premier League action against Chelsea on October 20, and the club has received an additional boost with Virgil van Dijk also set to return early. Van Dijk was sent off during a Nations League match against Hungary and will be suspended for the Netherlands’ game against Germany on Monday. The Dutch FA has permitted him to return to Liverpool early after he expressed a desire to go home, citing the need for rest amid a demanding schedule filled with numerous matches and extensive travel. This early return of both Salah and Van Dijk is crucial for Liverpool as they prepare for their upcoming challenges in the Premier League.lah