Pep Lijnders insists Mohamed Salah’s commitment to Egypt should ‘never’ be questioned after his return from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Salah is set to rejoin Liverpool on Wednesday to undergo treatment on a hamstring injury sustained at the tournament with his country last week.
The forward’s representative Ramy Abbas revealed on Monday that the latest prognosis indicated his client would face three to four weeks out of action.
Anfield chiefs confirmed that Salah’s injury is ‘worse than first feared’ after agreeing to a recovery programme with the Egyptian football assocation.
It is still hoped that the 31-year-old will be fully rehabilitated in time to feature for his homeland’s prospective AFCON final involvement on February 11.
But Salah’s premature departure from the tournament has sparked fierce criticism with some suggesting he deliberately engineered the move.
Reds’ assistant manager Lijnders, however, is adamant that the player’s dedication to his international involvement remains as strong as ever.
He said: “You should never doubt the commitment of Mo Salah.
“I never met a guy, and also a human being, who is more committed to the life of being a professional football player.
“I know the country is devastated to lose him. We were devastated to hear that he got injured. He played the first game, scored, assisted, the captain, a massive importance of course.
“But the only reason why their medical team and our team decided for him to come back is to give him the best possible chance to be available in the final if Egypt reach the final.
“What I am really happy about is that the medical team of Egypt and the medical team of Liverpool really worked together and were in close contact to make a decision.
“It is an example of how international football and club football should operate to put the player in the centre and not targets for everyone.
“Then it becomes a conflict of interest. All of us made the decision that is best for him.
“It is the best stable environment with people he knows and who have time to focus on the process. We know how it will go here in the facility.”