Salah Undisturbed By Liverpool Woes, Says Egypt Coach

Mohamed Salah has displayed no indication of being sidetracked by the uncertainty surrounding his future at Liverpool as he prepares to captain Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations, according to Pharaohs coach Hossam Hassan.

“Salah’s morale in training is exceptionally high, as if he were just embarking on his journey with the national team, and I believe he will have a magnificent tournament with his country,” Hassan informed reporters ahead of Egypt’s opening AFCON fixture against Zimbabwe in Agadir on Monday.

“I sense his motivation is incredibly strong. Salah is an icon and will remain so. He is one of the world’s finest players, and I back him in everything he does,” Hassan added.

Salah did not feature in the starting line-up for Liverpool’s last five matches before departing for the Cup of Nations in Morocco. Tensions escalated following the recent Premier League draw at Leeds United, where he alleged he had been “thrown under the bus” by his coach at Anfield, Arne Slot. This suggested a departure from the struggling Premier League champions during the January transfer window was a distinct possibility.

“I don’t consider what transpired with him to be a crisis. These situations frequently occur between players and coaches,” Hassan remarked.

“We’ve been in contact with him by phone from the outset, and I met with him when he joined the national squad’s camp. His focus is entirely on the tournament.”

Salah, 33, is aiming to guide Egypt to a record-extending eighth AFCON title in Morocco. He has never lifted the continental trophy, but was on the losing side in final defeats to Cameroon in 2017 and Senegal in 2022. His goals this year have already helped Egypt qualify for the World Cup.

“Whenever Salah’s performances dip with his club, he regains his strength with the national team and becomes even better, whether by contributing to goals or scoring himself. Then he returns to his club even stronger,” Hassan stated.

“He needs to win the cup by helping us and by helping himself.”

Egypt will also face South Africa and Angola in Group B at the Cup of Nations, with all three of their first-round matches being played in Agadir.