Liverpool stars Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have both been granted early release from their respective international duties during the ongoing October break.
Salah, who played a pivotal role in Egypt’s 2-0 win over Mauritania in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying on Friday night, was originally set to feature in a second match against the same opponents on Tuesday. However, following discussions within the Egyptian national team, it was decided to allow the forward to return to his club earlier than planned.
Virgil van Dijk has been sent back from the Netherlands squad after a frustrating night in UEFA Nations League action. The Dutch captain was sent off on Friday after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession during a 1-1 draw against Hungary. His dismissal automatically ruled him out of the Netherlands’ upcoming fixture against Germany on Monday, and as a result, he too will take no further part in the international break.
Both Salah and van Dijk have now been relieved of their duties for the remainder of this international window and are expected to return to Liverpool ahead of schedule. This decision, likely taken to ensure the players have adequate rest and preparation for the demanding club fixtures ahead, will come as a relief to Liverpool fans, as both are key figures in the team’s setup.
While neither player will feature in any additional international games this month, their early return means they’ll have extra time to recover before Liverpool’s upcoming matches, reducing the risk of fatigue or injury. This careful management of their playing time demonstrates a coordinated effort between their national teams and Liverpool to keep the players in top condition for both club and country.
This development will also give Arne Slot, Liverpool’s head coach, a boost as he prepares for the Premier League’s resumption. With two of his most influential players back early, Arne Slot can reintegrate them into training and ensure they are fit and ready to contribute to the club’s ambitions for the season ahead.
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