Liverpool Requests Exemption for Salah, but Egypt Shows Resistance
Liverpool Football Club has made a formal request to the Egyptian Football Association (FA) to exclude their star player, Mohamed Salah, from international duty this month. However, it appears that Egypt is reluctant to grant this exemption, unless Salah is unable to play for Liverpool before the international break.
Salah, who is the captain of the Egyptian national team, returned to Merseyside during the Africa Cup of Nations campaign after sustaining a hamstring injury. Unfortunately, he suffered a setback upon his return to action against Brentford and was once again sidelined for treatment.
Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, expressed optimism about Salah’s recovery during a press conference on Friday. He stated that the player is “not too far off” from making a return and that there is a possibility he could be back on the field next week. However, Klopp’s lack of conviction while delivering these lines raised doubts about Salah’s actual availability.
With four games remaining before the March international break, Salah has been called up by Egypt to participate in a friendly tournament in the United Arab Emirates. Understandably, Liverpool requested an exemption for Salah, citing concerns about aggravating his injury, regardless of whether he returns to club level before the break or not.
In a letter sent to the Egyptian FA, Liverpool expressed their worries and emphasized the importance of safeguarding Salah’s well-being. However, the response from the Egyptian FA indicates that they may not grant the exemption. In a statement, they confirmed receiving Liverpool’s letter and stated their right to include any professional player during the international agenda. The decision to include Salah ultimately rests with the national team’s technical staff, led by manager Hossam Hassan.
The Egyptian FA’s statement also highlighted that it is too early to make a definitive decision and that if Salah participates in any matches before the start of the international camp, he will be included in the squad. However, the medical staff of the Egyptian national team will examine him and determine his readiness.
It is worth noting the irony in how Salah is treated by Egypt, especially considering their new manager, Hossam Hassan, was one of the most vocal critics of Salah’s decision to return to Liverpool for treatment earlier this year. The situation highlights the complexity of managing a player’s international commitments while also prioritizing their club’s interests.
As fans eagerly await Salah’s return to action, it remains to be seen whether Egypt will exempt him from international duty or if he will be required to represent his country despite concerns about his injury. The outcome of this dispute will undoubtedly have implications for both Liverpool and Egypt, as they navigate the delicate balance between player welfare and international commitments.