Egypt's football federation have said that Premier League club Liverpool have refused to release Mohamed Salah for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers because of coronavirus restrictions.
Because Egypt is on Britain's red list, striker Salah would be required to quarantine for 10 days upon his return from Cairo, meaning he could miss crucial games for the Merseyside club.
Egypt are scheduled to play Angola in Cairo on September 1 before travelling to face Gabon four days later in Franceville.
Liverpool’s Brazilian trio of Alisson, Roberto Firmino and Fabinho are in a similar predicament with Brazil on the UK’s red list.
Manager Jurgen Klopp is already unhappy at Fifa’s decision to allow South American teams to have three qualifiers during the international break. Brazil face Chile on September 3, Argentina two days later and then Peru on September 10.
The four players would potentially miss Liverpool's match with Leeds United on September 12, their first Champions League fixture and Crystal Palace’s visit to Anfield on September 18.
Egypt also wanted Salah to play for the national team at the Tokyo Olympics, but Liverpool again denied the request. Clubs are not obligated to release players for the Olympic foootball tournament.
Liverpool 2 Burnley 0: player ratings
-
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker – 7. A composed performance from the Brazilian, who handled the aerial attack with ease. He dithered a bit and gave Tarkowski one chance but was otherwise in control. AFP -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 8. The 22-year-old set up the second goal with a wonderful touch and was a constant threat throughout. His relationship with Elliott bodes well for the future. Reuters -
Joel Matip - 7. The centre back handled Burnley's physicality with aplomb. He was comfortable under pressure and calm on the ball. Reuters -
Virgil van Dijk - 7. The Dutchman gives off an air of security. He went close with a shot from a corner and his long passing was superb – he started the move that led to the second goal. EPA -
Kostas Tsimikas - 7. The Greek provided a lovely cross for Jota to open the scoring and matched the opposition’s brawn when needed. Substituted in stoppage time for Gomez. Reuters -
Jordan Henderson - 7. The captain’s passing was precise and his positional awareness ensured danger was picked up early. A fine display on his first return to the side since February. -
Naby Keita - 7. The 26-year-old does not have to be flashy to be effective. His passing, pressing and tackling were impressive. Replaced by Thiago with nine minutes left. AFP -
Harvey Elliott - 8. The 18-year-old is a wonderful prospect. His magnificent pass to unpick the defence freed Salah to score but the striker had drifted offside. He linked beautifully with Alexander-Arnold, particularly on the second goal. The youngster had to deal with some rough treatment but was never put off. Getty -
Mohamed Salah - 8. The Egyptian tested Pope with a shot from outside the box and caused panic whenever in possession. He sent in an excellent cross for Mane but the Senegalese missed the ball. Reuters -
Diogo Jota - 7. The Portuguese made a brilliant run to find the space to open the scoring just at the time the home team were under pressure. He got involved in a physical battle with the defence and was withdrawn in the 81st minute when Firmino entered the game. PA -
Sadio Mane - 7. The Senegalese was not quite on his game and he spurned a number of chances. He kept working, though, and was rewarded with the second goal. Getty -
SUBS: Roberto Firmino - 6. Replaced Jota with nine minutes to go. The Brazilian made the most of his short stay on the pitch by showing his class. AFP -
Joe Gomez - 6. Joined the action when Tsimikas limped off in stoppage time. It was a welcome return for the centre back in his first appearance since November. Reuters -
Thiago Alcantara - 6. On for Keita in the 81st minute, the highlight of the 30-year-old’s cameo was a splendid run and pass. AFP -
BURNLEY RATINGS: Nick Pope - 6. The 29-year-old had to be quick off his line to cut out an early opportunity for Salah and the goalkeeper made some good saves. He could do nothing about the goals. AFP -
Matthew Lowton - 5. The full back kept tight on Mane and was solid at the back. His distribution was poor when in possession. Getty -
James Tarkowski - 6. The 28-year-old rose to the challenge when tested in the air. He made some important interceptions as Liverpool piled on the pressure. Reuters -
Ben Mee - 4. The Burnley captain lost Jota for the opening goal and should have been closer to Mane for the second. A disappointing performance. Getty -
Charlie Taylor - 5. The left back had his hands full defensively against Salah, Alexander-Arnold and Elliott. He needed more help from the midfield. PA -
Johann Berg Gudmundsson - 5. The Icelander was too involved with defensive duties to create much going forward. He was withdrawn for Pieters in the 79th minute. PA -
Josh Brownhill - 5. The 25-year-old started well and took a rugged approach to Elliott but was worn down by the Liverpool midfield. He struggled later in the game. Getty -
Jack Cork - 5. The midfielder produced some strong tackles and dropped in to help his defence but was increasingly over-run as the match went on. Reuters -
Dwight McNeil - 7. The winger forced Alisson into a good save just after the opening goal and sent in a number of dangerous crosses. He made a brilliant last-gasp clearance in second half. PA -
Chris Wood - 5. The striker had a near-post header saved by Alisson just before Liverpool’s opener. He was a handful for the defence in the first half but faded badly. Replaced by Rodriguez with 15 minutes left. PA -
Ashley Barnes - 5. The 30-year-old had a goal ruled out for offside but should have shown more awareness when Burnley created a dangerous situation. He had a chance for a late consolation goal but was foiled by Alisson. Reuters -
SUBS: Erik Pieters - 5. The Dutchman came on for Gudmundsson with 11 minutes to go. He was able to drive into the area but overran the ball and lost the opportunity. EPA -
Jay Rodriguez - 6. Replaced Wood in the 75th minute. He caused a few problems and Van Dijk had to be alert to his danger. Getty
The Egyptian FA said: “The Egyptian Football Association has received a letter from Liverpool FC apologising for the inability of its player, Mohamed Salah, to join the national team in its next camp, which includes facing Angola in Cairo and Gabon in Franceville during the first and second rounds of the African continent’s qualifiers for the World Cup.
“The English club’s letter referred to the precautionary measures applied in England to confront the outbreak of the coronavirus in the world, which puts returnees from some countries in compulsory health isolation for a period of 10 days upon their return to England.
“In this letter, the English club also expressed its hope that the Egyptian Federation would understand that it was forced to do so, in the face of the player being subjected to a quarantine for this period and being affected by this physically, as well as the uncertainty of the conditions determined by the English authorities. It is noteworthy that Liverpool FC took the same position with a number of its foreign players.”
Last season, Salah tested positive for Covid-19 after attending his brother's wedding in Egypt which meant he missed games for both club and country.
