Van Dijk and Salah released from international duty

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (left) and Virgil van Dijk (right) are both out of contract at the end of the season

Liverpool duo Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah will return to the club earlier than expected after being released from international duty.

Netherlands captain Van Dijk was sent off during his side's 1-1 draw with Hungary on Friday and is suspended for Monday's Nations League match against Germany.

Egypt captain Salah scored in a 2-0 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier victory over Mauritania in Cairo on Friday.

He had been expected to feature in Tuesday's return fixture but, like Van Dijk, he has been released early.

It is a boost for Liverpool manager Arne Slot, whose side host Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday, 20 October (16:30 BST).

The Reds went into the international break at the top of the table, one point above champions Manchester City.