Reds vow to do EVERYTHING they can to get Mo Salah fit for AFCON final

Liverpool have tried to defuse a row over the injured Mohamed Salah by insisting they will do everything to get him fit in time for next month's Africa Cup of Nations final.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday night's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Fulham, Jurgen Klopp's assistant Pep Lijnders said the decision for Salah to fly back from Ivory Coast was taken in conjunction with the Egyptian medical staff to aid the 31-year-old's recovery from a torn hamstring.

Egypt's legendary former midfielder Ahmed Hassan claimed the national captain should stay to support his team-mates but Lijnders retorted: 'You should never doubt the commitment of Mo Salah.

'I know Egypt are devastated to lose him. We were devastated to hear he got injured.

'The only reason their medical team and our team decided for him to come back is to give him the best possible chance to be available if Egypt reach the final (on February 11).

'They made a detailed scan and it came out that there is a proper tear in his hamstring. That means the expected return is three or four weeks if everything goes right.

'It will go smoothly because we have treated his body before. What I am happy about is that the medical team of Egypt and the medical team of Liverpool worked together and were in close contact to make a decision.'

Salah is due to return to Merseyside on Wednesday with Lijnders adding: 'It's an example of how international football and club football should operate to put the player in the centre.

'We made the decision that is best for him, (to come to) a stable environment where we have proper people who are committed and have time and focus on the process.'

Egypt boss Rui Vitoria criticised Klopp for commenting on Salah's injury before his country's clash with Cape Verde on Monday, which the forward watched from the stands. Egypt qualified for the last 16 by drawing 2-2.

Liverpool have won all three games since their top scorer departed for Afcon with Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez both scoring twice in Sunday's 4-0 win at Bournemouth. They also have Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo up front.

'It makes a big difference how we can make substitutes in games now,' said Lijnders.

'When it was only Mo, Sadio Mane and Bobby Firmino it was difficult to change but we are more unpredictable now. The squad has a lot of weapons. We can do things offensively.'

Holding a 2-1 advantage from the first leg ahead of tonight's game at Craven Cottage, Liverpool are favourites to reach Wembley as they bid to win the League Cup for a record 10th time.

Andy Robertson is available for his first action since October when he dislocated his shoulder playing for Scotland. The left back has returned to contact training and Lijnders confirmed: 'The medical team say it's a coaching decision - so he's in.'

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai will not feature on Wednesday but they hope to return in Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round tie at home to Norwich.

Liverpool have maintained their pursuit of four trophies despite a heavy injury list thanks to young replacements Conor Bradley, Harvey Elliott and Jarell Quansah. The versatility of Joe Gomez has also been key.

Lijnders believes the wide age range in the squad has helped. 'If everyone is 26 and 27 and fighting for the same spot, it's not a healthy squad,' he said.

'Senior pros act differently around young players, they feel responsible for the younger ones. It is a strength of ours - everyone feeling involved.'