Mohamed Salah was granted permission to return to Liverpool early after it was confirmed he would not feature for Egypt against Mauritania.
Egypt manager Hossam Hassan confirmed Salah had returned to Merseyside ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier due to concerns over Mauritania's artificial turf.
Hassan was also fearful of Salah being hurt after he described Mauritania as a team with 'violent interventions'.
'If any player asks me not to play on artificial turf, I will agree,' Hassan said.
'The Mauritanian team plays hard and with violent interventions, and their field is not the best.
Egypt boss Hossan Hassam confirmed Mohamed Salah had returned to Liverpool early
'If Salah specifically asks me to do so, I will agree'.
The two teams met on Friday as Egypt emerged with a 2-0 victory thanks to second-half strikes from Salah and former Aston Villa winger Trezeguet.
Egypt's win put further distance between them and their Group C rivals as The Pharaos sit on nine points from three games, with Cape Verde, Botswana and Mauritania all on three points each.
It's why Hassan conceded he is not concerned if his team doesn't make it four from four against the world No. 112, but they must take at least a point.
'I was very worried about the Mauritania match, and the pitch there is very difficult,' Hassan said.
'Even if I don't win there, it doesn't matter. What matters to me is that I don't lose.'
Salah's injury-free return to Liverpool will no doubt be welcomed by Reds boss Arne Slot, although he's not the only big name to return earlier than expected.
Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk is back at Melwood after he was released by the Netherlands.
The towering centre-back was given the green light to return early after he was sent off during the Netherlands' 1-1- draw with Hungary on Friday.
Van Dijk's red card - his first for the Netherlands - meant he would miss the Nations League fixture against Germany on Monday.
England midfielder Curtis Jones has also returned to Liverpool after he departed the Three Lions' camp due to personal reasons.
Jones had been drafted in after Kobbie Mainoo had been withdrawn from the England squad due to injury.