Egypt release Mohamed Salah ahead of game on dangerous pitch against 'violent' opponents
Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah's Egypt are due to face Mauritania, who they beat 2-0 in Cairo on Friday, in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier early next week but there are concerns about the quality of their opponent's artificial pitch
by Ryan Taylor · The MirrorMohamed Salah has been granted permission to return to Liverpool early after Egypt announced they would be resting their captain for next week's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mauritania.
The decision comes after Egypt boss Hossam Hassan publicly declared that he would willingly excuse Salah from the match amid fears about the quality of Mauritania's artificial pitch.
The Reds ace netted for The Pharaohs on Friday as they saw off the same opponents, who they meet again on Tuesday in the return fixture, in a 2-0 victory in Cairo on Friday.
Hassan also noted that physical competitors Mauritania play "hard and with violent interventions" and Egypt do not want to run the risk of losing Salah to injury.
Hassan said: "If any player asks me not to play on artificial turf, I will agree. 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."
Egypt are in control of Group C having won all of their opening three AFCON qualifiers without conceding a goal, providing them with crucial leeway.
Hassan, therefore, appears to be relaxed about the fixture and does not feel victory is essential due to the strong position Egypt have worked themselves into, adding: “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.”
Speaking after Friday's win, Salah made it clear he was happy with his side's performance after netting his 59th goal for his country. The prolific goalscoring ace said: "Congratulations on the victory. We are not few. 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."
Arne Slot will now have indispensable duo Salah and Virgil van Dijk, who has been released by Holland, fresh for next Saturday's showdown with Chelsea at Anfield. Curtis Jones has also been omitted from England's travelling squad to face Finland, owing to a personal matter.
Van Dijk, who was sent off after receiving two yellow cards against Hungary on Friday night, had initially been expected to stay with the national side for the rest of their camp ahead of Monday's Nations League match against Germany but Holland have now confirmed he will be returning to Liverpool.
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