Liverpool won't be happy! Mohamed Salah selection request soundly rejected by Egypt with forward set to represent country at friendly tournament despite recent fitness woes

Egypt are taking part in the inaugural Winsunited Cup between March 22-26, featuring the Pharaohs, Croatia, Tunisia, and New Zealand. Despite Salah missing Liverpool's 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday, the 31-year-old looks set to head out to UAE but the Egyptian FA, who rejected the Reds' request to rest the forward, said there is no guarantee he will play in the competition if he is not fit.

The Egyptian FA's statement reads: "We have already received a letter from Liverpool to exempt Mohamed Salah from the upcoming camp due to his injury. 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. It is still too early to decide the matter, and if Mohamed Salah plays any match in the time before the start of the camp, we will adhere to his inclusion, and he will be examined and his readiness determined by the medical staff of the Egyptian national team."

Salah picked up the hamstring injury while playing for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations in January but returned to action against Brentford last month. However, he has missed Liverpool's last four matches after a recurrence of the issue. The Reds are bidding to win an historic quadruple and if they want to lift more trophies they may not be able to afford having Salah suffer any further injuries.

On Friday, manager Jurgen Klopp said Salah will resume training next week ahead of their top of the table Premier League clash at home to Manchester City on Sunday (March 10). However, it remains to be seen if the Egyptian will be fit for that game, or their Europa League last 16 tie away to Sparta Praha on Thursday.