Liverpool, Mohamed Salah's agent and the real reason behind his cryptic tweets; Salah's agent worried some Liverpool fans with some strange tweets - but there's no need to be upset.

Byline: James Pearce

One word from Mohamed Salah's agent sent the rumour mill into overdrive.

"Fuming," tweeted Ramy Abbas, who represents the prolific Liverpool winger.

He later followed up with: "To those protesting against my cryptic messages please remind me about the last time they didn't work."

Sources in Egypt state that Abbas' ire has nothing to do with the Reds. In fact it's just the latest chapter in a strained relationship with the Egyptian FA.

When Liverpool are most likely to sign somebody in the transfer window

Egypt's World Cup campaign has been beset with problems and they are already out ahead of Monday's final group game against Saudi Arabia.

Salah missed the defeat to Uruguay before making his comeback from a shoulder injury in another reverse at the hands of hosts Russia.

There was a bitter row over image rights before Egypt even travelled to the World Cup. Salah and his agent were enraged that his image featured prominently on the national team's plane provided by official sponsor 'WE' when the player has his own individual deal with rival telecommunications firm Vodafone.

Hector Cuper's squad have been criticised for basing themselves in Grozny, the capital city of the Chechen Republic, with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov accused of numerous human rights violations. Their choice of base has also left the players having to travel long distances for their matches.

There is a feeling that Salah has since been used as a pawn by the Egyptian government and FA.

Mo Salah's cultural impact in Liverpool likened to John Barnes

He was granted honorary citizenship by Kadyrov at a banquet held to say goodbye to the squad on Friday night. The Chechen leader posed with Salah for pictures and pinned a medal on his chest.

"Mohamed Salah is an honorary citizen of the Chechen Republic. Yes, that's right! Tonight I signed a decree conferring this high award on the great footballer and member of the Egypt and Liverpool teams," Kadyrov wrote.

Footage from the ceremony showed Kadyrov at the dinner flanked by Salah and Hany Abo Rida, who is chairman of Egypt's football federation.

Kadyrov stands accused of repressing political opponents, discriminating against women and persecuting sexual minorities.

Mohamed Salah 'shocked' at World Cup rumours as Egyptian FA make bizarre mention of Liverpool

Referring to the pictures of Salah with the Chechen leader, Abbas tweeted: "When it was once said that a picture speaks a thousand words, apparently not. So here are the words: regardless of background, ethnicity, orientation, preferences, everyone deserves respect, and equal rights.#RespectForAll."

It's a headache Salah could do without. After Monday's game against Saudi Arabia, his gruelling season will finally be over. Liverpool's 44-goal hero will report back to Melwood in mid-July.

CAPTION(S):

Credit: Patrick Smith - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Mohamed Salah