Jurgen Klopp has dismissed questions about the winger’s loyalty to the national team, describing Mohamed Salah as “the most loyal Egyptian I have ever met”.
The Liverpool goalscorer has returned to Merseyside for treatment after recovering from an injury sustained in the second round of the Africa Cup of Nations group stage. Salah had to be substituted after limping off against Egypt against Ghana, and it was later revealed he would be out for up to 28 days with a thigh injury.The Egyptian Football Association has agreed to send the captain back to Liverpool for treatment to give him a chance to recover in time for the final on February 11.
If only the pharaoh would get that far. But the decision to leave Ivory Coast, where the tournament is being held, did not sit well with some. Egypt legend Ahmed Hassan (somewhat strangely) called Salah “planning to leave AFCON”. “I was able to call the Liverpool medical staff during the game,” said the 184-year-old midfielder.
And this time, he is the captain. Even if you have only one leg, you have to stay on the team no matter what.There was some controversy surrounding the announcement of Salah’s withdrawal from the AFCON, with the Egypt international’s doctor claiming that Liverpool manager Klopp had jumped the gun when he told the media that the winger would return to Liverpool.
Asked about Salah’s “hot topic” status after Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup semi-final win over Fulham, Klopp refused to send out the No.11 shirt and suspended talk of the Liverpool-Egypt match.
"If someone questions the loyalty of Mo Salah, because Mo Salah is the most loyal Egyptian I have ever met!"
Jürgen Klopp hits back at the suggestions that the Egyptian King is not loyal to his country!
🎤@IbrahimKhadra #CarabaoCup #FULLIV #LFC pic.twitter.com/iodJ01eqOo
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) January 24, 2024
