Liverpool star returns unharmed from international duty despite fears of 'violent tackle'

Mohamed Salah is set to make an early return to Liverpool, as concerns over potential injury during Egypt's match against Mauritania prompted the decision.

The two nations met in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday with Egypt emerging 2-0 winners with Salah on the score sheet.

They will meet again on Tuesday in Nouakchott but the Liverpool star is set to leave the Egypt camp and return to Merseyside before then.

Egypt manager Hossam Hassan has concerns over the artificial playing turf at the 8,000-seater venue and is also wary of ‘violent tackles’ from the Mauritania players. The Pharaohs boss says if any player approaches him with concerns over the pitch or the physical nature of the game, he will allow them to skip the game – music to the ears of Arne Slot back in Liverpool.

‘If any player asks not to play the next match, which will be on an artificial turf pitch, I will agree,’ Hassan said.

‘The Mauritanian national team plays hard and with violent tackles as well. If Salah asks me not to play the next match, I will agree because of the difficulty of the pitch and in order to preserve it. Liverpool did not ask me for anything, and no professional asked me not to play the match.’

The Egyptian FA have now confirmed Salah will leave the squad and return to Merseyside.

‘The technical staff of the Egyptian national football team, led by Captain Hossam Hassan, held a session with Mohamed Salah, the captain of the Pharaohs,’ the statement said.

‘During the session, it was agreed to rest the player from the upcoming match against Mauritania, scheduled for October 15, in the fourth round of the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.’

Liverpool return to Premier League action against Chelsea on Sunday 20 October and the Reds have been handed a further boost for that showdown with Virgil van Dijk also set to return home early.

The centre-half was sent off late on in Friday’s Nations League draw with Hungary and will be suspended for Monday’s game against Germany.

The Duch FA have agreed to let van Dijk return early after he told Voetbal International: I would have liked to continue supporting the team, but I indicated that I would like to go home.

‘There has been a lot of talk about all the matches we have to play, all the travel. It is a good time to take a rest.”