Despite Mohamed Salah’s return to England, Liverpool and Egypt have an agreement in place for the remainder of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Egypt and Liverpool have agreed that Mohamed Salah can play in the AFCON final if Egypt make it and if the player is fit, according to Jurgen Klopp.
Salah is back in England for treatment of a hamstring injury he sustained during Egypt’s 2-2 draw against Ghana last week. On Tuesday, Pepijn Lijnders, Liverpool’s assistant coach, said it may take between three to four weeks for the player to return. That is if he suffers no setbacks during his recovery.
“Egypt and Liverpool both have the same interest, we want Mo Salah fit as soon as possible,” Liverpool manager Klopp told beIN SPORTS after his side qualified for the EFL Cup final on Wednesday.
“If he stays in Africa and they can’t do the proper treatment, it will just delay everything, especially for Egypt if they go through the tournament.
“We bring him here not because we want to take him away from Egypt but just to offer the best medical treatment.
“It’s all agreed. If Salah is fit and Egypt go to the final, it was always clear, he goes back, 100%. Mo wants that, we want that.”
The AFCON final will happen on February 11th at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Egypt, who have won the championship a record seven times, came in second place in Group B with three points after three back-to-back 2-2 draws. They will be playing against the Democratic Republic of Congo in the round of 16 on Sunday.