Egypt’s Salah to fly to Liverpool for injury treatment
23 January 2024 - 12:51
byMARK GLEESON
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Egypt's Mohamed Salah with Ghana's Gideon Mensah in the Africa Cup of Nations match against Ghana at Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, January 18 2024. Picture: LUC GNAGO/REUTERS
Abidjan — Mohamed Salah will return to Liverpool for treatment of his hamstring injury after watching Egypt complete their group fixtures at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals against Cape Verde Islands in Abidjan on Monday night.
The Egypt Football Association confirmed he will continue his treatment at his club as Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp had suggested earlier on Sunday after their 4-0 Premier League win at Bournemouth.
Egypt, however, still hoped Salah could play a role at the tournament. “We are hoping to catch him in the semifinals of the Africa Nations Cup in case of qualification,” the Egypt Football Association said.
It is still not clear how long Salah will be out after pulling up with the hamstring injury before halftime in their clash against Ghana on Thursday, but Klopp said: “However long he is out, I think probably everybody sees that it makes sense that he is doing the rehab with us or with our people.”
On whether Salah could feature again for Egypt during the tournament at the Ivory Coast, Klopp said: “I’m not a doctor. I would say if Egypt qualify for the final and he is fit before the final then probably yes. Why not?”
Salah spoke to reporters on Sunday, but did not offer more on his injury.
“My injury is still there but the most important thing now is to speak about the game,” he said ahead of the Cape Verde game. “Our primary goal is to secure qualification for the next round, with skilled players, a good coach and a clear vision.
“We’re fully committed to giving our best in the tournament and we just need to fight and see what will happen,” he added of the game with Cape Verde, who despite being the smallest country at the finals have already secured a top place in the group.
Salah also spoke about the fact that he has yet to win a trophy with Egypt, having twice been a runner-up at Afcon.
“I have won everything possible but not this one yet. It will happen somehow, that is what I believe, and whatever I believe I achieve, so sooner or later it will happen. Everybody knows what it means to any player to win an Africa Cup. We were unlucky at the last one and also in Gabon. The players are very motivated to win the tournament. We all want to win it.”
Salah, who has 96 caps, was in the side that lost to Cameroon in the 2017 decider in Gabon and again at the last edition in Cameroon two years ago, where Senegal edged them on post-match penalties.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Egypt’s Salah to fly to Liverpool for injury treatment
Abidjan — Mohamed Salah will return to Liverpool for treatment of his hamstring injury after watching Egypt complete their group fixtures at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals against Cape Verde Islands in Abidjan on Monday night.
The Egypt Football Association confirmed he will continue his treatment at his club as Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp had suggested earlier on Sunday after their 4-0 Premier League win at Bournemouth.
Egypt, however, still hoped Salah could play a role at the tournament. “We are hoping to catch him in the semifinals of the Africa Nations Cup in case of qualification,” the Egypt Football Association said.
It is still not clear how long Salah will be out after pulling up with the hamstring injury before halftime in their clash against Ghana on Thursday, but Klopp said: “However long he is out, I think probably everybody sees that it makes sense that he is doing the rehab with us or with our people.”
On whether Salah could feature again for Egypt during the tournament at the Ivory Coast, Klopp said: “I’m not a doctor. I would say if Egypt qualify for the final and he is fit before the final then probably yes. Why not?”
Salah spoke to reporters on Sunday, but did not offer more on his injury.
“My injury is still there but the most important thing now is to speak about the game,” he said ahead of the Cape Verde game. “Our primary goal is to secure qualification for the next round, with skilled players, a good coach and a clear vision.
“We’re fully committed to giving our best in the tournament and we just need to fight and see what will happen,” he added of the game with Cape Verde, who despite being the smallest country at the finals have already secured a top place in the group.
Salah also spoke about the fact that he has yet to win a trophy with Egypt, having twice been a runner-up at Afcon.
“I have won everything possible but not this one yet. It will happen somehow, that is what I believe, and whatever I believe I achieve, so sooner or later it will happen. Everybody knows what it means to any player to win an Africa Cup. We were unlucky at the last one and also in Gabon. The players are very motivated to win the tournament. We all want to win it.”
Salah, who has 96 caps, was in the side that lost to Cameroon in the 2017 decider in Gabon and again at the last edition in Cameroon two years ago, where Senegal edged them on post-match penalties.
Reuters
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Bafana’s victory over Namibia a huge confidence booster, says Broos
Bafana Bafana score four goals in emphatic win over Namibia at Afcon
DR Congo equalise to hold favourites Morocco to Nations Cup draw
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.