'Never doubt the commitment of Mo Salah' - Liverpool defend star after Egypt criticism

Liverpool have leapt to the defence of Mohamed Salah after the injured Egypt captain's commitment to his country was called into question back home.

Salah is due to leave the Egyptian squad currently out in the Ivory Coast for the Africa Cup of Nations to receive treatment on a hamstring injury back in the UK.

The 31-year-old picked up the problem during their 2-2 draw with Ghana and missed the final group-stage game against Cape Verde.

Salah will fly back on Wednesday so Liverpool's medical staff can take care of his rehabilitation, with the hope he could rejoin the national team should they reach the latter stages of the tournament.

On Sunday, Egypt play the runners-up in Group F for a place in the quarter-finals. The final takes place on 8 February.

The move to send Salah back to England has drawn fierce criticism from former Egypt captains Ahmed Hassan and Wael Gomaa who said the talismanic attacker should have stayed with the squad in Africa.

But Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders insisted any comments questioning Salah's determination to play for his country are unfair.

“The one you should never doubt the commitment of is Mo Salah,” he said ahead of Liverpool's League Cup semi-final second leg away to Fulham on Wednesday.

“I never met a guy, a player but also a human being, who is more committed to the life of being a professional football player.

"We decided for him to comeback so it gave him the best possible chance to play in the final, if Egypt reach the final"