Liverpool star Mo Salah sent home from Egypt duty early amid fears over ‘dangerous’ pitch and ‘violent’ opponents
MO SALAH is set to return to Liverpool after withdrawing from the Egypt camp ahead of their clash with Mauritania on Tuesday night.
Egypt captain Salah, 32, headed to Cairo earlier this week to link up with his national team.
He started their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mauritania last night, scoring in his side’s 2-0 win.
The Pharoahs are set to face the same opposition away from home on Tuesday, but will have to do so without their star man.
An Egyptian FA statement read: “The technical staff of Egypt’s senior football team led by manager Hossam Hassan held a meeting with Mohamed Salah, the captain of the Pharaohs.
“It was agreed during the meeting to rest the player from the upcoming match.”
Salah’s withdrawal comes amid concerns regarding Mauritania’s pitch and style of play.
Tuesday’s game is set to take place at the 8,200 capacity Cheikha Ould Boidiya Stadium in Nouakchott, which possesses a plastic pitch.
After last night’s victory, Egypt manager Hassan admitted the possibility of being without his key man on Tuesday, while also calling his side’s opponents “violent”.
He said: “If any player asks me not to play on artificial turf, I will agree.
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“The Mauritanian team plays hard and with violent interventions, and their field is not the best.
“If Salah specifically asks me to do so, I will agree.”
After last night’s game, the Liverpool star admitted that his side had to really earn their win.
He said: “The Egyptian team must play with a different, fast and offensive rhythm. The Mauritania match is difficult and the team is very heavy. We did not win by chance.”
Egypt are top of their Afcon qualification group with nine points from three games – already six points clear of Mauritania, Cape Verde and Botswana.
Ahead of Tuesday’s test, Hassan added: “I was very worried about the Mauritania match, and the pitch there is very difficult.
“Even if I don’t win there, it doesn’t matter. What matters to me is that I don’t lose.”
Liverpool boss Arne Slot will expect to have Salah fit and available to face Chelsea in the Premier League next Sunday.