Liverpool wish to rest Mo Salah during international break set to be granted

Egypt are set to reluctantly grant Liverpool's wish to rest Mohamed Salah for the upcoming international break to protect the winger's long-term health.

Salah has been stricken by injury since the Africa Cup of Nations, picking up a muscular problem while on duty with the Pharaohs in Ivory Coast.

After making a brief return in Liverpool's 4-1 win over Brentford last month, Salah would suffer a recurrence of the injury and hasn't started a game ever since.

He made a brief cameo on Thursday as Liverpool came out 5-1 victors against Sparta Prague in the Europa League, putting him in strong contention to make his full return against Manchester City on Sunday.

However, with the title race heating up, the Reds are looking beyond this weekend in regard to the winger's fitness and have therefore requested that Salah doesn't partake in a batch of international friendlies later this month.

Egypt are gearing up to participate in a friendly tournament in the UAE between March 22 and 26, which will also feature Tunisia, Croatia, and New Zealand.

It initially appeared that the Pharaohs rejected the plea, insisting that they would decide on whether to call Salah up based on the fitness of their captain.

"We have already received a letter from Liverpool to exempt Mohamed Salah from the upcoming camp due to his injury," a statement from the Egyptian FA read.

"We sent the name of Mohamed Salah among the professional players that we are requesting to include in the next camp a few days ago.

"It is our right to include any professional player as long as it is at the time of the international agenda, and the issue of whether or not to include him is in the hands of the national team's technical staff, led by Hossam Hassan."

However, according to sources in Cairo via the Daily Mail, Egypt's resolute stance has changed.

Egypt are reportedly ready to put Salah’s long-term fitness before a one-off friendly tournament and grant Liverpool their wish.

National team boss Hassan is set to speak to local media this afternoon and is likely to confirm their decision on the forward.