A former Egyptian national team assistant coach has revealed that Liverpool would not allow Mohamed Salah to compete at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after his injury.
The attacker limped off the field with an injury during the Pharaohs' group stage encounter against Ghana. The 31-year-old would end up not featuring for his national side again in the tournament as they were knocked out in the round of 16.
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Earlier this month, the Reds requested that their talisman not be called up to the squad to take on New Zealand in a friendly tournament held in the United Arab Emirates during the March international break.
After initially rejecting the club's plea, newly-appointed Egypt head coach head coach Hossam Hassan announced that Salah would not be included.
Reflecting on when the situation first began, former assistant coach to Rui Vitoria, Ayman Abdel Aziz told Time Sports 2 per Yalla Kora that the Merseyside club were "in a hurry" to confirm the star's injury.
“The handling of Mohamed Salah’s injury was good at first, and Mohamed Abu Al-Ela, the team doctor, confirmed in his diagnosis that the injury was major,” he said.
"Liverpool were in a hurry to announce Mohamed Salah's injury. The injury was severe, and when I spoke with Salah, he confirmed to me that his club told him that according to the papers they received, his absence would have extended from approximately 4 to 6 weeks.
“Liverpool management told Mohamed Salah that if he returned to them, he might be able to join the semi-finals, but if he continued with the team and even if he told them that he was healthy, they would not allow him to participate, because his diagnosis indicated that he would be absent for 6 weeks.”
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