Egypt manager, Hossam Hassan has recently confirmed that Liverpool star player, Mohamed Salah, was pulled out of international duty due to concerns over the quality of the pitches. This decision has sparked interest among sports fans and sports betting enthusiasts alike. Salah had scored in Egypt's 2-0 victory over Mauritania in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group stage. However, he was noticeably absent from their second clash with Mauritania just a few days later. Despite his absence, Egypt managed to edge a narrow game 1-0.
The reason behind this decision was revealed by Egyptian journalist who relayed information from Coach Hassan. According to him, Liverpool had concerns about the pitch quality which led them to pull Salah out early.
Egypt manager, Hossam Hassan, said:
"I respected Salah's wish because the medical staff at Liverpool were concerned about the possibility of his back & knee injuries recurring due to the artificial turf on the pitch."
This move is seen as positive news for Liverpool fans as they face a hectic schedule of games beginning with Chelsea's visit this weekend. With three games scheduled within seven days, having Salah fit and ready is crucial for the team.
A look at Salah’s performance and injury history
Salah has been known for his professionalism throughout his career at Liverpool which has helped him maintain an impressive scoring record while rarely being injured. One notable exception occurred during the Africa Cup of Nations matches in 2024 when he pulled his hamstring during the third game and missed seven subsequent matches due to injury.
This unfortunate incident coincided with a dip in form from February onwards where he struggled to recreate his stunning performance from earlier in the season. Despite managing ten goal contributions across sixteen games in all competitions, he only scored thrice during eleven games contributing towards Liverpool falling behind Arsenal and Manchester City.
Expectations for this season
Despite past setbacks, this season sees Mohamed Salah starting strong again with four goals and four assists across just seven league games so far. Even amidst ongoing contract negotiations off-the-pitch, Salah has remained focused and sharp. His performance will undoubtedly be key to any success that Arne Slot’s side hopes to achieve this season.
The decision to pull Salah out of international duty early is a strategic move by Liverpool, prioritizing player safety and team performance. As sports fans and betting enthusiasts watch closely, it will be interesting to see how this decision impacts Liverpool's upcoming games and ultimately their season.
