The Egyptian Football Association has confirmed that the captain of their national team, Mohamed Salah, will return to Liverpool as he recovers from a back injury sustained at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
This was made known in a statement released on Sunday night, adding that the 31-year-old will return to Ivory Coast if they qualify for the semi-final of the tournament.
Salah will attend Egypt’s final group game match against Cape Verde on Monday before flying to Liverpool, Egypt confirmed on Sunday.
“The Egyptian FA announces that Salah will now travel to England to receive treatment with the hope that he will join the Egyptian national team if it qualifies for the semi-finals,” the statement read.
The Pharaohs play Cape Verde in their final Group B match on Monday night.
They only have two points so far, after drawing with Mozambique and Ghana.
Salah was subbed during Egypt’s draw with Ghana on Thursday; Egypt says he will miss their final group game and any potential last-16 game if they qualify.
Salah picked up an injury in Egypt’s 2-2 draw with Ghana on Thursday and Egypt announced they expected him to miss two games but after discussions with Liverpool have decided to allow him to travel home.
Liverpool’s coach, Jurgen Klopp, while speaking after Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Bournemouth, said, “However long he’s out, probably everybody sees it like this, it makes sense that he’s doing the rehab with us or with our people. If that’s written in stone already, I don’t know.
“I spoke with him directly after, the night when it happened. Since then he’s been in contact with our doctor. I think he will be back.”
