Mo Salah fires back at Egypt critics and puts timeframe on his recovery after AFCON injury

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has hit back at his critics after he was forced to leave Egypt's squad for treatment following an injury at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Salah suffered a hamstring injury during Egypt's second group game against Ghana.

After Egypt booked their place in the knockouts with a nervy 2-2 draw with Cape Verde in their final group match, Salah returned to Liverpool for treatment.

But that decision has attracted criticism in Egypt, with some fans questioning Salah's desire to play for his national side.

Meanwhile, Egypt manager Rui Vitoria slammed Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp for revealing that the 31-year-old would return to the Reds before their final group game.

Salah has now hit back at his critics and claims he will do everything in his power to return to the Egypt squad.

"Yesterday I started the treatment and rehabilitation program and I will do everything possible to be ready as soon as possible and return to the national team as was agreed upon from the beginning," Salah posted on X.

"I also love it and its people... try harder."

When asked about the situation, Klopp attempted to defuse the row between club and country on Thursday.

"We haven't spoken about it, I haven't seen him for that," said Klopp. "That's the world we are living in.

"Most people in Egypt understand the situation because we have exactly the same target as Egypt. Make Mo as fit as quickly as possible. That's all, that's all we want. That's how it always is. If a player is injured, we try everything to help him to get fit as quickly as possible.

"But now it’s a tournament. That's one thing. What people say is one thing and what is right is another thing, sometimes. Sometimes it matches but that is not always the case.

"All parties agreed that it makes sense that he is doing the rehab here. That's what we are doing now. We have a season to play so we want him fit.

"All parties agreed on that it makes sense that he [Mohamed Salah] is doing the rehab here" 🤝

Jürgen Klopp on Mohamed Salah returning from AFCON to do his rehab in Liverpool 🏥 pic.twitter.com/hDrVqlGTSV

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 25, 2024

"But if he is fit earlier, as long as Egypt are still in the tournament, he will go back. That's clear, then it's win/win, and then he is coming back after the tournament or whenever. That's the situation, nothing else.

"The rest is just these blown up discussions because somebody said something and then all of a sudden you have to react to everything. We have to be sensible in this moment and that means all of us have to be. The Egyptian FA as well, we all agree on that.

"If I said something too early, because I said I'm not sure when you asked the question. I knew there were discussions that he might come home but I didnt know if that was already sorted or not. I have different things to do.

"And somebody tells me then, 'How can you say that?' Then I'm sorry but it was not intentionally wrong or wanting to do the wrong thing, I just didn't know exactly how the situation was in that moment and that's it."

Egypt will now face DR Congo in their last 16 match on Sunday.

The Pharaohs are attempting to win the tournament for a record-extending eighth time.