AFCON 2025 key dates and when Liverpool and Everton players will return
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Liverpool and Everton are set to lose key players to the Africa Cup of Nations, with the tournament running during a demanding stretch in the Premier League seasonThe 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is set to be a challenging period for both Liverpool and Everton. Both clubs have had their ups and downs in the Premier League this season, with the Reds in particular falling flat in this first half of the campaign.The timing couldn't be worse at Anfield given Mohamed Salah's recent fiery outburst at the club, suggesting his time on Merseyside could be about to end.
The ECHO breaks down when the two Merseyside giants might expect their players back, including key AFCON dates for the month ahead.READ MORE: What Iliman Ndiaye promised Everton team-mate speaks volumes as remarkable rise continuesREAD MORE: What Mohamed Salah told Liverpool team-mates after being dropped from squad and Arne Slot rowWho are the favourites for AFCON?The host nation has reached at least the semi-final stage in the last two AFCON tournaments. The competition will wrap up in Rabat on January 18, meaning some players could be away for more than a month.During this period, six rounds of Premier League matches are scheduled to take place.
This includes a particularly gruelling three-week stretch between December 20 and January 8, during which each top-flight club will play five times.Which team has the toughest schedule?Certain Premier League clubs who will be without players over the next month face more challenging periods than others, at least on paper given the current standings and recent team performances.For instance, Aston Villa will go up against United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Crystal Palace (in that order) between December 21 and January 7. Brighton also have a tough run of fixtures over the next month or so, with Sunderland, Arsenal, City and Bournemouth all lined up while the AFCON is ongoing.Key AFCON datesPlayers released for duty: 15 DecemberGroup stage: 21 December to 31 DecemberRound of 16: January 3 to January 6Quarter-finals: January 9 and January 10Semi-finals: January 14Third-place play-off: January 17Final: January 18Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL packageThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.