Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has apologised for his comments on Mohamed Salah's injury, following criticism from the Egyptian national team
Pharoahs manager Rui Vitória hit out at Klopp after the extent of Salah's issue was revealed ahead of a decisive Africa Cup of Nations clash. The Egyptian FA had noted that the Premier League forward would miss his country's next two matches after picking up a hamstring injury, including the game against Cape Verde, but it soon emerged he may only be fit enough to make the final of the competition.
Klopp revealed after Liverpool's win over Bournemouth that the 31-year-old star would return to Anfield to undergo treatment for the issue to the dismay of Vitória. Salah’s agent Ramy Abbas Issa had also acknowledged that his client could be out for around a month, while confirming his return to the UK.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool's FA Cup clash with Norwich City, the German coach looked to bring the relationship of the parties closer once again. Klopp believes that Liverpool's ambition for Salah is in line with that of Egypt.
He said: "We have the exact same target as Egypt. Make Mo as fit as quickly as possible. When a player is injured, we help them. All parties agreed that it makes sense he does the rehab here. We have a season to play so want him fit.
"But if he's fit earlier and Egypt are still in the tournament, he will go back. We don't discuss the rest, what others are saying. We all have to be sensible. If I said something too early, then I'm sorry. It wasn't intentionally the wrong thing. I didn't know the situation in that moment."
While there will be a wait before Salah dons Liverpool colours, Klopp is set to have more options to pick from against the Canaries this weekend. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai and Andy Robertson are all in contention after absences. The former has yet to be involved in a team training session however.
Klopp said: “There’s a chance for all of them but we will really have to see. It’s touch and go.
"Robbo is physically ready and I think it was good to have him in the matchday squad, and he’s completely in the normal team training schedule. Like Dom from tomorrow on. He had yesterday a session, today I think he has a day off as well and then from tomorrow on he is in completely normal. That means he is obviously ready for minutes.
"With Trent, is it already Norwich or is it the game after? We have to see. He was not in team training, not even parts of team training yet, so if he can be in tomorrow then I have to make a decision there. That’s it pretty much with these boys. So then we will see. It would be absolutely very helpful if they all could be involved, but we have to see.”