Jurgen Klopp has explained why he and Liverpool decided to bring Mohamed Salah back to Egypt while the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is still ongoing.
It was confirmed earlier this week that the 31-year-old would be heading back to England for treatment after he sustained a hamstring injury in Egypt's second group game at the tournament.
The news has been met with heavy criticism from sections of the North African country's media, while Pharaohs legend Ahmed Hassan accused Salah of "plotting" his departure from the group.
Klopp, however, has insisted the objective is to give Salah the best possible chance of a speedy recovery, and slammed those questioning the winger's loyalty to his nation.
"Egypt and Liverpool have exactly the same interests, we want Mo Salah fit as quickly as possible," he said, according to Daily Mail.
"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%, Mo wants that, we want that, we don't plan with Mo and think we can do a little bit here or there.
"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."
Salah's agent recently confirmed the Egyptian would return to Ivory Coast if the record-winners made it to the latter stages of the tournament.
Egypt will take on DR Congo this weekend in the round of 16, after qualifying from Group B.
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