صاحب‌خبر - The rivalry between Manchester City and Liverpool has grown in recent years thanks to the coaching of Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp turning it into a battle for the title over numerous seasons. The fixture has become significant around the world but in one north African nation it has a new edge as their rising star and their national hero come face-to-face. Omar Marmoush arrived in Manchester in January after City paid £59m to buy him from Eintracht Frankfurt. The Egypt forward built his reputation in Germany and has added to it in the Premier League after a hat-trick against Newcastle followed some promising performances to indicate he is up to Guardiola’s high standards. Marmoush is a beacon in a disappointing season for City but has some way to go to match his compatriot Mohamed Salah, the man leading Liverpool towards a second Premier League title. From Alexandria to Zagazig, eyes in Egypt will be on the Etihad on Sunday as the country’s heroes do battle. Ageless Salah remains driving force behind Liverpool quest for trophies Read more “Everyone is excited to watch the match, especially since it’s a big showdown between the two biggest teams in England,” says the Egyptian sports journalist Hamed Wagdy. “Salah has faced Mohamed Elneny at Arsenal and Trézéguet at Aston Villa with Ahmed Elmohamady, but this match is between two teams competing for the Premier League title, even if Manchester City’s performance has declined. Marmoush is performing well, and there is much talk in Egypt and the Arab world about Marmoush as Salah’s successor in the Premier League and capable of surpassing Salah’s achievements in the future.” Egypt has a population of 114.5 million and Salah has an Instagram following of more than 64 million, while Marmoush has a relatively paltry 2.9 million. Football is big business in Egypt and producing two of Europe’s leading forwards is an exciting moment in the country’s progress in the sport. City and especially Liverpool shirts are becoming commonplace there. “The match comes the day after the Cairo derby between Al Ahly and Zamalek, which will provide an opportunity for the largest possible number of Egyptian fans to watch,” says Wagdy. “In the past, cafes were crowded for all competitions due to Salah’s brilliance, and now the numbers will double due to Marmoush’s presence. I believe the viewers in Egypt will not be less than 10 million, especially since the population exceeds 100 million and the people love football.” Considering Sky Sports’ record viewing figures for a Premier League match stand at 4.5 million, the numbers expected in Egypt are impressive but they are not surprising. Salah put in plenty of hard yards as a child, making a nine-hour round journey from his birthplace in Nagrig three times a week to training in Cairo. When Salah returns to his hometown he is mobbed by locals, eager to get a glimpse of the man who worked his way up to global stardom. Marmoush was born and raised in Cairo and his commute was not as lengthy but he too showed great commitment and dedication. Sunday’s game will be evidence that the endeavour has more than paid off. “This is great, and we are proud of it as Egyptians in general and football fans in particular,” Wagdy says of Marmoush and Salah spearheading two of the world’s biggest clubs. “It provides an opportunity for many young football players to replicate Salah and Marmoush’s experience in European leagues, especially the strongest league in the world, the Premier League. Salah has been at Liverpool for eight years and, because of his brilliance, the number of Liverpool fans in Egypt has increased significantly.” Marmoush turned 26 this month and has 35 caps, 26 alongside Salah. Egypt have lost only twice in 90 minutes in the matches when the pair have combined and there is hope that they can take the team to new heights. Egypt are yet to win a World Cup finals game and want to secure a first Africa Cup of Nations title since 2010. Salah at 32 is showing no signs of decline and with him captaining the national team from the right wing and Marmoush on the left, the continent, at least, is fearful of the attacking options available to Egypt. View image in fullscreen Football is big business in Egypt and the nation has produced two of Europe’s leading forwards in Mohamed Salah (left) and Omar Marmoush. Photograph: Issouf Sanogo/AFP/Getty Images “Salah is considered the greatest Egyptian and Arab player and one of the greatest African players in history,” Wagdy says. “This is a result of what he has accomplished in recent years, whether in the Premier League or with the Egyptian national team.” skip past newsletter promotion Sign up to Football Daily Free daily newsletter Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football Enter your email address Sign upPrivacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion The two started their careers in Egypt’s domestic league, Salah playing for Al-Mokawloon and Marmoush for Wadi Degla before Europe came calling when they were still in their teens. Basel and Wolfsburg respectively provided the next step in their schooling but both feel a strong bond with their homeland. “Marmoush will be the future of Egyptian football, especially as he is currently training with Pep Guardiola,” Wagdy says. “Everyone sees him as the one to bring back the Africa Cup of Nations title that Egypt has missed for 15 years, in addition to participating in the World Cup and achieving Egypt’s first-ever win in World Cup competitions.” English domestic matters, however, will be the focal point on Sundaytoday. Friendship will be put aside on the pitch. Whatever the result, Egypt will celebrate. Regardless of the rivalry between the clubs, Salah and Marmoush are uniting a nation in front of their TV screens.∎​