Mohamed Salah was kept on the bench in Egypt's opening World Cup defeat against Uruguay yesterday because the team did not want to risk further injury to the Liverpool star. Salah, who turned 26, injured his shoulder three weeks ago in Liverpool's Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.

On the eve of the Uruguay match in Yekaterinburg, which the South Americans won 1-0, Egypt coach Hector Cuper said Salah was fit, raising the Pharoahs' hopes that he would start the Group 'A' clash. "He's important, nobody can deny that, but you need a good team too — and we are a good team," said Cuper.