Liverpool confirm that Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk will return early from their international commitments with Egypt and the Netherlands respectively.
Liverpool have confirmed that Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk will return early from their international commitments.
Salah helped Egypt record a 2-0 victory in Friday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mauritania in Cairo.
The 32-year-old scored Egypt’s second goal ten minutes after former Aston Villa attacker Trezeguet opened the scoring in the 69th minute.
The win maintained Egypt’s 100% record in qualifying, with the Pharaohs currently sitting top of Group C with a three-point gap over Cape Verde, Botswana and Mauritania.
Egypt are now preparing for Tuesday’s reverse fixture against Mauritania, but they travel to Nouakchott without the services of their captain due to potential injury fears.
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Egypt agree to rest Salah for Mauritania clash
Egypt manager Hossam Hassan had raised concerns about the artificial playing surface in Nouakchott and also admitted his team would have to deal with Mauritania’s “violent tackles”.
Hassan told reporters: “If any player asks not to play the next match, which will be on an artificial turf pitch, I will agree.
“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 since confirmed that Salah will be rested for the fixture and will has been given permission to return to Liverpool.
A statement read: “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.
“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.”
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Van Dijk to join Salah in early return
Van Dijk is also set to return early to Merseyside after being sent off in the Netherlands’ 1-1 UEFA Nations League draw with Hungary.
The 33-year-old defender picked up the first red card of his international career after being shown the second yellow card in the 79th minute.
With Van Dijk suspended for Monday’s clash with Germany, he has been allowed to return to Liverpool ahead of the return of Premier League action.
In a statement, Liverpool said: “Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have both been released early from international duty in the current October break.
The club went on to add: “The pair will now take no further part in either international camp this month after the decision was made to relieve them early from their respective commitments.”
Arne Slot‘s side will look to maintain their position as Premier League leaders when they welcome Chelsea to Anfield next weekend.