Klopp backs Salah's imminent return to '100%' for AFCON final
Egypt's Mohamed Salah (C) looks on ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2024 group B football match against Cape Verde at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Jan. 22, 2024. (AFP Photo)


Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp stated that Mohamed Salah will certainly make a comeback to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) if he recuperates in time from his injury and Egypt advances to the final.

The 31-year-old winger returned to England for treatment after sustaining a hamstring injury in Egypt's 2-2 draw with Ghana last week.

Liverpool assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders has said Salah is expected to return to action in three to four weeks if there are no setbacks in his recovery.

The AFCON final is on Feb. 11.

"Egypt and Liverpool both have the same interest; we want Mo Salah fit as soon as possible," Klopp told beIN SPORTS after his side reached the finals of the League Cup by beating Fulham on Wednesday.

"If he stays in Africa and they can't do the proper treatment, it will just delay everything, especially for Egypt if they go through the tournament.

"We bring him here not because we want to take him away from Egypt but just to offer the best medical treatment."

"It's all agreed. If Salah is fit and Egypt goes to the final, it was always clear; he goes back, 100%. Mo wants that, we want that."

Record seven-time champions Egypt finished second in Group B with three points following three successive 2-2 draws. They play the Democratic Republic of Congo in the last 16 on Sunday.

Klopp also hit out at criticism of Salah's decision to return to Merseyside for treatment, with some pundits and former players saying that as captain, he should have remained with the Egypt squad.

"If somebody questions the loyalty of Mo Salah, they should ask themselves if their loyalty is right because Mo Salah is definitely the most loyal Egyptian I've met in my life," he said.