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Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has returned to England after leaving the Egypt national team camp early. He was allowed to report back to his club after Egypt had announced that they would rest their captain in next week's AFCON qualifier against Mauritania.
Salah scored for Egypt in their 2-0 win over Mauritania in Cairo on Friday, October 11. Mahmoud Trezeguet gave The Pharaohs the breakthrough in the 69th minute before the Liverpool forward doubled their lead 10 minutes later.
The result ensured Egypt continued their 100% win record in the qualifiers and they maintained their six-point lead at the top of group C. They now travel to Mauritania for their second match of this international break on October 15 amid concerns about the artificial turf and their opponents' playing style.
After the win in Cairo, Egypt boss Hossam Hassan confirmed to the press (via Mirror) that the team don't want to lose Salah to injury. He said that he would excuse him from international duty if he asked to.
"If any player asks me not to play on artificial turf, I will agree. The Mauritanian team plays hard and with violent interventions, and their field is not the best. If Salah specifically asks me to do so, I will agree," Hassan said.
The national team coach admits the difficulty of the task facing them in Mauritania.
"I was very worried about the Mauritania match, and the pitch there is very difficult. Even if I don’t win there, it doesn’t matter. What matters to me is that I don’t lose," he admitted.
The Egyptian FA has confirmed that Salah will return to England voluntarily and not due to injury.
Egypt are top of the group with 9 points with the other three teams - Cape Verde, Mauritania, and Botswana all on three points each.
Liverpool receive further boost ahead of crucial Chelsea clash
New Liverpool manager Arne Slot is enjoying life in Merseyside so far this season. The club sit at the top of the Premier League table with six wins in seven, sitting a point above Manchester City. They've also won both their matches in the UEFA Champions League and progressed to the fourth round in the League Cup as well.
The news of Salah returning without any injury concerns and earlier than expected is a big boost to Liverpool as they host Chelsea at home on October 20. Apart from Salah, club captain Virgil van Dijk will also return to Merseyside earlier than expected.
The Dutchman was sent off in the Netherlands' 1-1 draw against Hungary in the UEFA Nations League on Friday, October 11. With him being suspended for the match against Germany, the Oranje management decided to let him return to his club.
Midfielder Curtis Jones has also been omitted from England's squad for the Finland match owing to 'a personal matter'. Harvey Elliott has also stepped up his return from injury, giving manager Arne Slot a boost ahead of the Chelsea match.
