Salah mocked for 'dirty and rigid' exercises by ex-Premier League star

• Mohamed Salah picked up a hamstring injury in Egypt’s 2-2 draw with Ghana
• The 31-year-old will return to the Ivory Coast if the record-winners make the final 
• No Salah, no problem! Liverpool can thank Jurgen Klopp for an ‘exceptional’ squad rebuild – It’s All Kicking Off 

Former Tottenham striker Mido aimed a sarcastic dig at Mohamed Salah for returning to Liverpool to recover from the injury he sustained at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Egyptian talisman was forced off in the first half of the Pharaoh’s 2-2 draw with Ghana with a hamstring issue that will keep him sidelined for up to four weeks.

As a result, the 31-year-old returned to Merseyside to receive treatment. however, that decision was met with strong criticism in Egypt.

Earlier this week, the nation’s most-capped player Ahmed Hassan, stated that Salah should remain in the Ivory Coast to support the team, who managed to squeeze through the group stage with three draws from three games.

His former teammate – with whom he won one of his four AFCON crowns – has now also waded into the debate, mocking the reasoning for Salah’s need to rehabilitate back at Liverpool.

Mohamed Salah posted an image of himself doing exercises at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre after returning to the club

Former Tottenham striker Mido hit out at Salah for needing to return to Liverpool to recover from injury

Liverpool star Salah suffered a hamstring injury against Ghana at the AFCON last week

‘Oh, these exercises are so dirty and rigid,’ The 40-year-old replied to a post on social media of the Reds forward doing stretches. ‘It is difficult to do them except in Liverpool.’

On Tuesday, the Anfield club’s assistant manager Pep Lijnders confirmed an agreement between the club and Egypt that will see Salah return to the Ivory Coast should the record-AFCON winners make it to the final on February 11.

While Jurgen Klopp launched a staunch defence of his star man amid claims that he has put club over country.

‘I cannot be part of that discussion.’ He told BeIN Sports after Liverpool’s Carabao Cup semi-final aggregate win over Fulham on Wednesday.

‘Egypt and Liverpool have exactly the same interests, we want Mo Salah fit as quickly as possible.

Jurgen Klopp vehemently defended his star player, who has come under criticism for leaving the tournament

‘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.’

Salah was also forced to make a statement following the recent furore. He insisted that the plan to return to the Premier League side had been agreed by both parties and he hit out at those questioning his commitment.

Egypt take on DR Congo in the round of 16 on Sunday as they seek their eighth win the competition that would give Salah his maiden triumph.

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