Liverpool Football Club has staunchly defended Mohamed Salah against allegations of showing a lack of commitment to Egypt.
This comes as Salah returns to his club from the Africa Cup of Nations to undergo treatment for a muscle injury.
Liverpool asserted that Salah, a standout performer in the Africa Cup of Nations, will return to England on Wednesday and embark on an “intensive rehabilitation program” in an attempt to regain fitness before the end of the tournament.
On Tuesday, Pep Lijnders, Liverpool’s assistant coach, revealed that Salah is suffering from a “hamstring tear,” and it is expected to keep the winger out of action for a period ranging between 3 and 4 weeks.
This aligns with the timeline provided by Salah’s agent on the “X” platform, previously known as Twitter.
Former Egyptian international Ahmed Hassan, in an interview with the British newspaper “Daily Mirror,” stated that Salah should stay with the Egyptian national team “no matter what, even if he had only one leg to stand on,” alleging that the team captain “had planned to leave the Egyptian national team’s camp.”
Lijnders promptly downplayed the significance of these comments, stating during a press conference one day before Liverpool’s semi-final clash with Fulham in the English League Cup, “The person you should never doubt his commitment is Mohamed Salah.”
He added, “I know the country is very sad to lose him. We felt extreme sadness when we heard about his injury.
He plays their first match (in the group stage), scores, assists, and he is the captain.
He is crucial, of course.
But the only reason that made our medical team and their medical team decide on his return is to give him the best possible chance to be available in the final if Egypt reaches there.”
Lijnders continued, “Some confusion may have arisen because Salah’s injury, which occurred during Egypt’s second group stage match, was not considered serious initially.”
He also emphasized that it is in Salah’s interest to receive treatment at Liverpool’s medical facility because it provides a “stable environment” with “appropriate and committed individuals who have the time to focus on his rehabilitation process.”
While Arabs Shine in Asia… and Debate about Salah’s Departure
Egypt secured qualification for the Round of 16 by drawing 2-2 with Cape Verde.
This marks the third consecutive draw with the same scoreline in the group stage for the Pharaohs, who lost in the final of the previous edition on penalties to Senegal.
