Jurgen Klopp has said Liverpool and Egypt have the ‘same target’ in wanting Mohamed Salah to return to fitness as soon as possible.
Salah suffered a hamstring problem during Egypt’s draw with Ghana at the African Cup of Nations and will return to Liverpool for treatment on the issue.
The 31-year-old will miss Egypt’s Round of 16 clash with DR Congo on Sunday and faces a race to be fit to feature in the remainder of the tournament, should the seven-time winners progress to the latter rounds.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool’s FA Cup fourth round clash with Norwich this weekend, Klopp said the Reds and the Egyptian national team are working together for the same outcome.
“Most people in Egypt understand the situation, because we have the same target as Egypt – make Mo as quick fit as possible. That’s all we want. That’s how it always is when a player is injured. We will always try to help him get his fitness and get fit as quick as possible.
“All parts agreed that it makes sense he does his rehab here so that is what we are doing now and we have a season to play so we want him fit. If he is fit earlier, if Egypt is still in the tournament, he will go back. That’s clear. It’s a win win if you want.”
Salah’s injury is the latest to impact the Liverpool squad this season, though the Merseysiders have several stars nearing a return.
On his returning players, Klopp said: “The turnarounds in the beginning of the season, very early. It helps to grow together as a group. Since then we’ve had different things, loads of injuries to deal with, that’s not good but if it happens we can’t change it in the moment so we have to work with it, that’s what we did.
“An injury crisis gives opportunities, in these specific cases the boys use them and that’s really nice. We got through that and now we’re really on the edge, nothing can happen anymore to be honest with you. We have the same amount of games coming up, we play all the time now. We need them all, we need them back.”
