Mohamed Salah leaves AFCON and returns to Liverpool

Mohamed Salah has returned to Liverpool much earlier than expected, although not in the condition that the Reds and the Egyptian player himself would have liked. In Egypt’s second Africa Cup of Nations match against Ghana, Salah had to be substituted due to muscular discomfort. Asked about the player’s fitness, Jürgen Klopp said the following day that both the English club and the Egypt national team were waiting for tests and to find out if the Reds’ medical services would travel to Côte d’Ivoire to treat their star player.

However, the decision has finally been made for Salah to start his recovery at home. “That’s the plan. I think everyone sees that it makes sense that he’s doing the rehab with us and our people. If he’s fit before the final, then probably yes, he will go back to AFCON,” said Klopp in the press conference after Liverpool’s 4-0 win at Bournemouth on Sunday.

Egypt with plenty to do

Egypt’s federation said Salah’s muscle strain would keep him out until a hypothetical quarter-final. Before that, having picked up just two points from their opening two matches, Egypt must beat leaders Cape Verde to avoid waiting on the results of Ghana and Mozambique, who are third and fourth in Group B, both on one point.

For their part, Liverpool, whose victory over Andoni Iraola’s side put them top of the Premier League, will prepare to visit Craven Cottage on Wednesday for the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final after a 2-1 win over Fulham in the first leg.