Egyptian Captain Mohamed Salah Steps Down from International Duty

Liverpool has confirmed that Egypt captain Mohamed Salah will not be participating in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mauritania next week. The decision to release Salah early from international duty was made during the ongoing October break. Salah, who scored for Egypt in a 2-0 victory over Mauritania on Friday, was initially scheduled to play in a second fixture against the same opponents on Tuesday. However, concerns over playing on Mauritania's artificial turf and potential injury risks led Egypt manager Hossam Hassan to reconsider Salah's involvement in the upcoming match. Liverpool will continue to monitor Salah's fitness and ensure his well-being during the break.

Record seven-time African champions Egypt faced stubborn resistance from Mauritania until Mahmoud 'Trezeguet' Hassan netted 69 minutes into the Group C clash.

Prolific Liverpool scorer Salah put the outcome beyond doubt with a second goal 10 minutes later to maintain the perfect record of the Pharaohs after three rounds.

Egypt need a single point in the next match to qualify as they sit six points ahead of rivals Cape Verde, Botswana and Mauritania.

Liverpool also confirmed that Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk had been also released early from international duty.

Van Dijk was dismissed for the Netherlands after picking up two yellow cards during a 1-1 UEFA Nations League draw with Hungary.

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"The pair will take no further part for their respective nations this month after the decision was made to relieve them both early from their international commitments."

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(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)