Mohamed Salah was protected by his team-mates and escorted off the pitch by the military after being run at by pitch invaders during Egypt’s win over Sierra Leone.

The Liverpool forward was charged at by fans in the final moments of his country’s 2-0 victory at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Liberia.

Security staff were seen throwing punches and tackling fans to the ground in an effort to protect Salah, whose team-mates also helped to keep the pitch invaders away from him.

Salah was then escorted from the pitch by about a dozen officials, including some in military uniform.

Footage from the 89th minute of the match shows security rushing onto the pitch to stop a pitch invader in the centre of the field. More fans then dash onto the pitch, with Egypt centre-back Mohamed Abdelmonem ensuring that one pitch invader in particular does not get close to Salah.

Salah is regarded as Africa’s most famous footballer and is no stranger to pitch invasions while on international duty. In 2021, while playing against Angola, the match was stopped three times because of fans running onto the pitch towards him.

The 31-year-old appeared calm as he left the pitch after the game, surrounded by a protective ring of officials and military personnel.

Egypt were already 2-0 up at the time of the incident thanks to a brace from Trezeguet, the former Aston Villa winger who now plays for Trabzonspor in Turkey. Sierra Leone finished the match with nine men following red cards to Tyrese Fornah, of Derby County, and Abdul Jarju Kabia.

The victory moves Egypt to the top of their World Cup qualifying group with two wins from two. Last week they thrashed Djibouti 6-0, with Salah scoring four of their goals.

Liverpool face Manchester City in the 12.30pm kick off on Saturday as the Premier League resumes after the international break.