Mohamed Salah Issues AFCON Update as Liverpool Handed Return Decision

Mohamed Salah will depart Liverpool for AFCON duty with Egypt on December 15, as confirmed by manager Arne Slot. This follows a delayed player release date pushed from December 8 to December 13-14, allowing Salah to feature against Brighton where he provided a record-breaking assist, becoming the Premier League player with the most goals and assists for a single club.[1]

Salah's absence gains significance amid uncertainty over his Liverpool future, sparked by an explosive interview after being an unused substitute in a draw at Leeds, where he hinted at a possible January exit. Despite this, he returned to the squad post-Champions League omission against Inter Milan.[1]

The AFCON in Morocco runs from December 21 to January 18. Egypt, in Group A with Angola, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, plays their final group match against Angola on December 29. Top two teams and the four best third-placed sides advance, potentially extending Salah's time away.[1]

Liverpool Matches Affected

• December 15: Salah links up with Egypt (Liverpool's next fixture TBD).
• January 17: Liverpool vs. Burnley (Premier League) – coincides with AFCON third-place play-off.

If Egypt reaches the quarterfinals or semifinals, Salah could miss more games. Liverpool's subsequent match is Champions League against Marseille on January 21, post-tournament final on January 18.[1]

Liverpool faces a key period without their star forward, whose international commitments overlap critical fixtures, while contract talks loom large.[1]

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