Mohamed Salah may have been absent but Egypt were still able to secure their place at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations this week. And that early qualification could turn out to be good news for Liverpool.
Salah sat out his country’s 1-0 win in Mauritania on Tuesday after concerns over the forward potentially picking up an injury on the artificial pitch.
The 32-year-old had been on target during the 2-0 win over the same opposition in Cairo last Friday, a game after which Egypt coach Hossam Hassan described Mauritania’s defending as “violent”.
Hassan revealed after Tuesday’s win that Liverpool had expressed their fears over a potential injury for Salah. in the return match, with back and knee problems particular concerns.
The Reds are keen to ensure their leading scorer remains available with Arne Slot’s side challenging on four fronts and a busy period of seven games in 20 days beginning on Sunday with the Premier League visit of in-form Chelsea.
And with an even more hectic schedule to follow after next month’s international break, there is now scope for Salah to be rested by his country given they are already through to the next AFCON tournament, which takes place next December and January in Morocco.
Egypt conclude their qualification programme at Cape Verde on November 11 and at home to Botswana eight days later. Their only remaining games during the course of the current Premier League season are next March when they play World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and Sierra Leone. Egypt stand top after four of their 10 games in the six-team group.
Salah is out of contract at the end of the season although the ECHO understands he wants to extend his stay. Talks with Liverpool remain ongoing.
