Klopp clarifies Salah Liverpool return: 'He's the most loyal Egyptian I've met'

Jurgen Klopp has defended Mohamed Salah's return to Liverpool from the Africa Cup of Nations, hitting back at critics questioning the forward's loyalty to Egypt.

Salah returned to Liverpool on Wednesday to begin an "intensive rehabilitation programme" after picking up a muscle injury in Egypt's 2-2 draw with Ghana last Thursday.

He was initially ruled out for just two games by Egypt but Salah's agent Ramy Abbas first revealed the 31-year-old is set to spend several weeks on the sidelines and Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders confirmed the news that the injury was "worse than first feared" at a press conference on Tuesday.

An agreement was reached between the Premier League club and the Egyptian FA for Salah to return to Merseyside for treatment but his departure from Egypt's camp was criticised by some pundits and former players.

Four-time AFCON winner Ahmed Hassan believed Salah, as captain, should remain with his country under any circumstance and should have brought a member of Liverpool's medical staff with him to the tournament.

But speaking after Liverpool's Carabao Cup semi-final success against Fulham, Klopp clarified Salah's return from the Africa Cup of Nations and said he will feature for Egypt in the latter stages of the tournament if fit.

"I cannot be part of that discussion," Klopp said to beIN SPORTS when asked about Salah potentially putting his club first. "Egypt and Liverpool both have the same interest, we want Mo Salah fit as soon as possible.

"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.