Mohamed Salah has hit back at the critics who questioned his commitment to Egypt after he returned to England to receive treatment for the hamstring injury he sustained at the Africa Cup of Nations last week.
The Liverpool star was substituted during Egypt’s 2-2 draw against Ghana last Thursday and his presence for the remainder of the tournament is in doubt.
Mail Sport understands that Salah could now be sidelined for up to four weeks and has flown back to Merseyside for treatment.
His decision to return to England was met with criticism by Egypt’s legendary former midfielder Ahmed Hassan, who claimed the national captain should stay to support his team-mates.
But Salah insisted the decision to return to England was one Egypt and Liverpool both agreed upon.
Yesterday I started the treatment and rehabilitation program and I will do everything possible to be ready as soon as possible and return to the national team as was agreed upon from the beginning,’ he wrote on X, the platform previously known as Twitter.
‘I also love it [Egypt] and its people.’
Salah then appeared to criticise his detractors, by suggesting they should ‘try harder’.
Egyptian media had called Klopp ‘disrespectful’ for being the one to announce the news that Salah would be returning back to Liverpool rather than his national side.
The Liverpool boss has since apologised for breaking the news ahead of the Egyptian FA.
‘It’s all agreed and it’s clear, if Egypt go through to the final and Mo is fit, Mo goes back, 100 per cent,’ Klopp said.
‘Mo wants that, we want that we don’t plan with Mo and think we can do a little bit here or there.’