Liverpool receive Mohamed Salah update as Egypt release official statement

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Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is set to miss Egypt's match against Cape Verde on Monday, according to an official statement from the Pharaohs. However, Reds fans need not worry as the star forward is simply being rested for their second game of the November international break.

Egypt have been battling it out in the Al Ain International Cup this month in the United Arab Emirates, squaring off against Iran, Uzbekistan and Cape Verde in a friendly four-team tournament. They took on Uzbekistan in the semi-finals on Friday, with Salah playing the full 90 minutes. But Egypt suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat and missed out on a spot in the final against Iran.

Instead, the Pharaohs will face Cape Verde in a third-place play-off on Monday, and they have decided to give Salah a breather as a result. The Egypt Football Association confirmed his absence in an official statement released on Saturday night.

It stated: "The Egyptian national football team, led by Hossam Hassan, held its training session in Al Ain in preparation for a friendly match against Cape Verde at 6pm on Monday - Cairo time - at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, UAE.

"The absence of the duo Ahmed Sayed Zizo and Hamdi Fathi from the Cape Verde match due to injury was also confirmed, and Salah Mohsen underwent recovery training, in addition to giving Mohamed Salah a rest, and his non-participation in the Cape Verde friendly.

"Tarek Abou El-Enein and Mohamed Abou Hussein, members of the board of directors of the Football Association, attended the training session of the Egyptian national team."

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With Salah not expected to play against Cape Verde, the 33-year-old will be fully refreshed before Liverpool resume action after the November international break against Nottingham Forest on Saturday 22 November. Yet the forward's international commitments for the calendar year aren't finished, as Salah is poised to skipper Egypt at next month's Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco - beginning on December 21.

The Pharaohs find themselves in Group B alongside South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe, meaning Liverpool will be without the forward for a minimum of three fixtures. Should Egypt reach the final in Rabat on January 18, he could potentially miss up to eight Reds matches - including away fixtures at both Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal .

Salah hasn't been at his best for Liverpool this campaign, with his displays coming under growing scrutiny. Despite claiming both the Premier League Golden Boot and Playmaker prizes last year, plus sweeping the individual honours after propelling the Reds to Premier League triumph, he's managed just five goals and three assists across 16 outings this season.