Liverpool won't allow Mo Salah to play for Egypt in World Cup qualifiers due to COVID-19 restrictions

Liverpool will not allow Mohamed Salah to play in Egypt's upcoming World Cup qualifying matches because of COVID-19 restrictions, the country's football association said Monday, according to The Associated Press (h/t ESPN). 

Egypt is on England's red list, which means Salah would be required to quarantine upon his return to the country and miss two Premier League games. 

Egypt is scheduled to play Angola on Sept. 2 in Cairo before traveling to face Gabon. The country said it continues "its contacts with the FIFA .... to have international players be exempted from travel restrictions imposed on them in countries where they play due to coronavirus," according to The Associated Press. 

Egypt wanted Salah to compete at this summer's Tokyo Olympics, but Liverpool also denied that request. 

The 29-year-old tested positive for COVID-19 after traveling to Cairo for his brother's wedding in November, so it's not necessarily surprising that Liverpool won't release him for international duty. 

Salah has been with Liverpool since 2017 after two years with Serie A side AS Roma. In 147 games for the club, he has 96 goals and 35 assists. 

Liverpool have been in discussions with Salah about a new contract, Jurgen Klopp confirmed over the weekend. The Egyptian has two years remaining on his current deal.