Klopp hits back at reporter after Salah's loyalty to Egypt is questioned

The Egyptian has returned to Merseyside after picking up a back injury during his country's group stage campaign.

Salah could still return if he's recovered in time for the later stages of the tournament, but a BeIn Sports journalist after Liverpool's Carabao Cup triumph over Fulham asked about the sentiment that the forward could be putting his club first.

"I cannot be part of that discussion," Klopp replied. "So, 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.

"It's all agreed and it's clear, if Egypt go through to the final and Mo is fit, Mo goes back, 100 per cent, Mo wants that, we want that we don't plan with Mo and think we can do a little bit here or there."

It was also put to Klopp that he could have put pressure on Salah to return by announcing he would come back for treatment before it was agreed, the manager suggested that wasn't true either.

He continued: "We are completely honest, and if I said something too early… what I said, I didn't announce it, I said 'I think it's agreed' that's what I heard. I have so many things to do and so many things going on around me.

"The rest, some people make something out of it, and if somebody questions the loyalty of Mo Salah they should ask themselves if their loyalty is right, because Mo Salah is definitely the most loyal Egyptian I've met in my life."

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Salah went down during Egypt's second AFCON clash against Ghana and was subsequently substituted in the 2-2 draw.

It was later revealed that Salah had sustained a strain in his back muscle as well as having a hamstring problem before the decision was taken for the 31-year-old to return to Liverpool to recover on the understanding that he'd return to the tournament should Egypt still be in it by the time he's fit.

However, it was announced on Monday that Salah's injury is worse than first feared and could be out for up to a month, meaning he'd miss the rest of AFCON with the final on February 11.

Klopp cut a slightly bad-tempered figure on a joyous night for Liverpool as they sealed their place in the Carabao Cup final.

The Reds were made to work hard for their place at Wembley, where they will face Chelsea, after grinding out a 1-1 draw at Fulham, going through 3-2 on aggregate.