Egypt’s national team coach, Rui Vitoria, has responded to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s recent remarks on Mohamed Salah’s injury, expressing his discontent with the timing and manner of the disclosure.
Following Egypt’s draw with Cape Verde, Vitoria took the opportunity to provide clarity on the situation, emphasizing that Salah’s injury is more extensive than initially anticipated.
The Egyptian forward’s hamstring setback has raised doubts about his return to the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
“I want to take this opportunity to clarify things,” stated Vitoria.
“Mohamed Salah has sustained an injury, and we discovered, before this game, that it is a longer-term concern than we first thought.
Consequently, we have had to extend the timeframe before he can resume playing.”
The coach emphasized that, prior to the game, the decision was made not to disclose details about Salah’s injury, with confidence in the management of their medical team.
Vitoria acknowledged the necessity of considering various factors, including travel, temperatures, and the change of venue, leading to the decision for Salah to undergo recovery in an environment conducive to swift recuperation.
“We didn’t want to alarm anyone. I didn’t think it was right for Liverpool, via any intermediary, to speak about this, because we had a tremendously important game today,” Vitoria asserted.
“Salah has always been with us. Now that this game is over, we will find the best solution for the treatment of the player. These are the facts. This is the situation.”
Vitoria’s response underscores the complexities surrounding player injuries, particularly in high-stakes tournaments, and highlights the delicate balance between transparency and strategic silence when managing such scenarios on the global football stage.
