January 25 – Jurgen Klopp has broken his silence in support of Egypt and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah as accusations continue over the player’s commitment to his country’s AFCON progression.
Salah travelled back to Liverpool to recover from a hamstring injury picked up during Egypt’s AFCON match against Ghana.
The decision to return to England has caused backlash from fans worldwide, who have accused him of prioritising his Liverpool career over Egypt’s AFCON ambitions.
Looking to clarify the situation, Klopp said: “I don’t want to be a part of this story. Liverpool and Egypt both want Mo Salah to be fit as soon as possible. If Salah stays in Africa and they can’t do the proper treatment, it will delay everything and cause an issue.
“We’ve brought Mo back here not to take him away from Egypt, but because we do the best medical treatment.
“It’s all agreed and very clear. If Salah is fit and Egypt reach the final of AFCON, he will be there.”
Speaking on the character of his player, who has been under the media’s microscope, Klopp said: “If somebody questions the loyalty of Mo Salah, he should ask himself if his own loyalty is right. Mo is the most loyal Egyptian I’ve ever met in my life.”
“The player is ruled out for up to a month with a nasty hamstring injury, so it makes sense to both parties that he receives the best treatment available to aid both Egypt and Liverpool with their trophy ambitions.”
Egypt will face DR Congo in the AFCON round of 16 on Sunday after a nervous end to the group stage which saw them finish second in the group on just three points.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734869732labto1734869732ofdlr1734869732owedi1734869732sni@g1734869732niwe.1734869732yrrah1734869732