International breaks always raise fear of injury for players, with Liverpool stung by problems so many times in the past.
The Reds currently have 16 players out on duty for senior national teams, with the likes of Tyler Morton and Jarell Quansah also away with the England U21s.
With Liverpool set to lose Alisson Becker for seven games already and an incredibly difficult run of fixtures coming up, Arne Slot will be crossing his fingers that all of the Liverpool squad come back fit and healthy.
The Reds were given a boost in that respect on Saturday, when it was confirmed that Virgil van Dijk will return to Liverpool after being sent off for the Netherlands.
Although it’s a shame for Van Dijk to miss his country’s next game, the extra rest ahead of Liverpool’s match with Chelsea next Sunday could be vital.
And according to reports out of Egypt on Saturday, it seems as though Van Dijk might be joined by Mohamed Salah in making an early comeback to Merseyside.
Mohamed Salah told he can return to Liverpool
Liverpool and Egypt have often been at loggerheads when it comes to Salah. Take this summer’s Olympic Games, for example.
Although Salah was happy with Liverpool’s decision not to allow his release for the tournament in Paris, Egypt were reportedly not pleased at all.
With the African Cup of Nations regularly taking place mid-season and at a crucial point of the campaign, there has often been frustration at Anfield over Salah’s sojourns with his national team.
However, on this occasion, it seems as though the Pharaohs themselves are actually keen for Salah not to participate in their next game.
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The 32-year-old played – and scored – for Egypt in a 2-0 win over Mauritania on Friday. But with a return game away at the same nation scheduled for Tuesday, Egyptian journalist Ismael Mahmoud says that manager Hossam Hassan has informed Salah that he is free to miss the match.
“Mo Salah could be out the next game for Egypt against Mauritania,” writes Mahmoud.
“Hossam Hassan the head coach of national team confirmed that he will let him go back to Liverpool if Salah asked, because of the poor condition of the pitch in Mauritania, which put the player at risk of injury.”
Liverpool set for Mohamed Salah boost?
If Liverpool can get Salah and Van Dijk back early for next week’s big clash against Chelsea, Slot will have every right to be delighted.
It isn’t just the obvious concern over the pitch at Mauritania, it’s the fact that both players have played so much this season so far already.
Any extra load adds to the chances of injury being suffered. After struggling with various problems for the first time last season, it’s clear that Salah cannot simply play and play and play as he has in the past.
The Egyptian will obviously be keen to get out and captain his country as often as he possibly can, but few players also look after themselves as well as Mo.
He will know himself whether it’s worth taking a risk with Tuesday’s game. If he decides to play, fine, no one at Liverpool will have a problem with that. But if Salah makes the call to come back and join Van Dijk in an early return, it could just give the Reds that edge against Chelsea. Let’s see what Mo decides.
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