After Mohamed Salah represented Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Jurgen Klopp said it “makes sense” for him to return to Liverpool for hamstring injury rehab.
Salah will be absent from both Egypt’s final 16 meeting in the Ivory Coast, should they advance, and the Pharaohs’ pivotal Group B fixture against Cape Verde on Monday.
The record seven-time African champions need to defeat Cape Verde, who have already qualified, in order to secure their qualification after drawing their first two games in the competition.
Salah salvaged a 2-2 draw with Mozambique from the penalty spot in Egypt’s opening game before limping off in the first half against Ghana.
“That’s the plan,” Klopp said after Liverpool’s 4-0 victory away to Bournemouth when asked if Salah would now return to Merseyside.
“If that’s already decided 100 per cent, I don’t know. But that’s the plan. I think probably everybody sees it makes sense that he’s doing the rehab with us or with our people.”
However, Klopp did leave the door open for Salah to return to the tournament should he prove his fitness while Egypt are still alive.
“If Egypt qualifies for the final and he is fit before the final, then probably yes,” added Klopp. “Why not? That’s clear.”
The 31-year-old’s latest tragic turn of events at the AFCON is his ailment.
He has never taken home the trophy and has lost in the championship game twice, to Senegal two years ago and Cameroon in 2017.
Salah told a press conference on Sunday he remained certain he will be named champion of Africa “sooner or later”.
“I have won everything possible but this one not yet,” said the two-time African footballer of the year.
“It will happen somehow, that is what I believe, and whatever I believe I achieve, so sooner or later it will happen.”
