Mahmoud El Assal - Ahram
Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp explained, during a press conference on Thursday, Mohamed Salah's situation regarding participation in the upcoming international break in UAE with the Egyptian national team.
Salah's participation in Egypt's friendly tournament in the UAE, scheduled from 22 to 26 March, had been uncertain due to his recent injury setback. However, the forward provided a significant boost to Liverpool by traveling to Sparta Prague for Thursday's Europa League clash.
Klopp, addressing Salah's situation, said: "That is nothing to do [with me] really. That will be decided in different departments. No, nothing to do with that." The coach emphasized that the decision lies outside his domain.
"Let's see how long he can play now. As I said, two days in team training – so, in a different situation, players are not in the squad at this moment, but in our situation, it makes sense. What can we give him? How much can we use him? We will see that," Klopp further commented on Salah's fitness.
Regarding Egypt's upcoming matches, Klopp clarified that the team's involvement is not within his purview. "And then there are two games with Egypt, but it's not up to me or stuff like this, we are not involved. That is discussed in other departments, let me say it like that," the German coach said, concluding his remarks on the subject.
Since departing the Africa Cup of Nations early in January due to a hamstring injury suffered in a group-stage game against Ghana, Salah has played only 46 minutes for Liverpool.
Egypt's tournament will commence with a match against New Zealand on 22 March, with the winner advancing to face the victor between Tunisia and Croatia.
Salah, the Premier League's leading scorer from the previous season, is among seven foreign-based players called up for Egypt, alongside Trabzonspor winger Mahmoud "Trezeguet" Hassan.
The Pharaohs will be led by their iconic striker Hossam Hassan, 57, who assumed the role after the dismissal of Portuguese coach Rui Vitoria on 4 February.
