Klopp hits back at reporter for questioning Salah's loyalty to Egypt

Jurgen Klopp has launched a passionate defence of Mohamed Salah after questions have been raised over the injured Liverpool forward's loyalties.

The 31-year-old was substituted during Egypt's 2-2 draw against Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations last Thursday with a hamstring injury. Mail Sport understands that Salah could now be sidelined for upto four weeks and has flown back to Merseyside for treatment.

The decision to bring him back to the UK was criticised by Egypt's most-capped player, Ahmed Hassan, who had stated that Salah should stay to support his national team.

While there is a chance the forward could still return to play in the later stages of the tournament, Klopp was asked by a reporter on Wednesday whether he thought the Liverpool star was priotitising his club over his national side.

Speaking to BeIN Sports after his side booked their place in the final of the Carabao Cup with a 3-2 aggregate win against Fulham, Klopp fired back at the journalist, saying: 'I cannot be part of that discussion.'

'Egypt and Liverpool have exactly the same interests, we want Mo Salah fit as quickly as possible.

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

'So, we bring him here not because we want to take him away from Egypt but because we want to offer the best medical treatment, that's all we want.'

Egyptian media had called Klopp 'disrespectful' for being the one to announce the news that Salah would be returning back to Liverpool and not his national side.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have tried to defuse the row by helping Salah make as fast a recovery as possible. Klopp's assistant Pep Lijnders had also said that the decision for him to