Why Mohamed Salah is on the bench at AFCON after Liverpool fallout

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Liverpool IconLiverpool FC NewsFeaturesMohamed SalahMohamed Salah's Egypt plays its final group game today at the Africa Cup of Nations, although the Liverpool winger has had to make do with a place on the substitutes' benchMohamed Salah was named on the bench for Egypt's final AFCON group game (Image: Getty Images)Mohamed Salah finds himself on the bench once again today — although in much less dramatic circumstances following his recent fallout at Liverpool.The 33-year-old is, of course, currently away at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco as he searches for his first continental title with Egypt. The Pharaohs have made a perfect start to their campaign, winning their opening games against Zimbabwe and South Africa, with Salah scoring the winner in each.Egypt takes on Angola in its final group game today, although Salah has been named on the bench by Hossam Hassan.READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Antoine Semenyo agreement, Marc Guehi latest, Schlotterbeck moveREAD MORE: Mohamed Salah suffered major locker room blow before Arne Slot tensions boiled overThere has been no indication ahead of the game that Salah is carrying an injury of any sort, with the winger having been seen with his teammates ahead of kick-off at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir.It is almost certainly a case of the Liverpool star being rested then, with Egypt having already secured their safe passage through to the last 16 after the Boxing Day win over South Africa.The Pharaohs are also guaranteed to go through as group winners.

Tie-breakers during the group stages are first decided on head-to-head records, and with South Africa the only team able to draw level with Egypt’s tally of six points, Salah’s side is certain to finish top of Group B.Mohamed Salah waves as he arrives ahead of Egypt's game against Angola(Image: Getty Images)Today’s game is therefore effectively a dead rubber for them. Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush has also been named on the bench, which gives a good insight into Hassan’s thinking ahead of the knockout stages.We shouldn’t expect any sort of outburst from Salah again then after his fallout at Liverpool earlier this month.

Learn moreFrom $100LFC.comSee the dealLiverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.Whether that will be the case remains to be seen, with Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes reportedly set to meet with Salah’s agent Ramy Abbas while the player is away on international duty.When Salah will return to Liverpool is unknown at the moment, although he is certain to miss at least two more of the Reds’ games.Having secured top spot in Group B, Egypt’s last-16 tie will take place on Jan. 5, meaning Salah will be away for Liverpool’s upcoming games against Leeds on Jan.