Mohamed Salah ruled out for at least three Liverpool games as Arne Slot makes ‘unhappy’ admission
Mohamed Salah is likely to three of Liverpool’s games in December due to his AFCON duties with Egypt.
Arne Slot managed to temporarily quash the sacking pressures at Liverpool after a 2-0 win over West Ham on 30 November.
Shockingly, the Dutchman benched the Reds’ number 11 against the Hammers, coming just days after Jamie Carragher expressed his disappointment with Salah.
Amid speculation over his future at the club, Salah’s international commitments could affect the January sale of Federico Chiesa, with the winger set to join up with Egypt as they seek continental glory in AFCON.
Slot describes Salah as a ‘top professional’ as AFCON departure awaits
Despite not starting for the Reds against the Irons in the Premier League, the ex-Roma wide man will have his eyes on competing for Africa’s greatest prize over the winter period.
Slot confirmed when he shall embark on his travels to Morocco for AFCON, stating (Fabrizio Romano, 2 December): “Mo Salah will travel for AFCON on December 15.
“Of course a player is not happy if he’s not starting but he was very supportive of his teammates. He’s a top professional.”
That means the Egyptian will definitely be available for Liverpool‘s upcoming clashes against Sunderland (3 December), Leeds (6 December) and Brighton (13 December) in the Premier League as well as Inter (9 December) in the Champions League.
The Pharaohs take on Zimbabwe (22 December), South Africa (26 December) and Angola (29 December) in the group stages of AFCON, meaning the earliest Salah could return would be for the Reds’ New Year’s Day clash against the Peacocks, which would be a tight turnaround.
Liverpool to brace themselves for longer absence without Salah as Egypt expected to breeze Group B
Given Egypt are amongst the top sides on the African continent, the Anfield faithful should expect to be without the number 11 long into January.
If the Pharaohs get the job done in Group B as expected, Salah will certainly not return until closer to the mini winter break.
| Egypt AFCON Matches | Date |
| Egypt vs Zimbabwe (Group Stage) | 22 December |
| Egypt vs South Africa (Group Stage) | 26 December |
| Egypt vs Angola (Group Stage) | 29 December |
| Start of Last-16 | 3 January |
| Start of Quarter-finals | 9 January |
| Semi-final | 14 January |
| Final | 18 January |
Once Liverpool play Arsenal on 8 January, there is a nine-day gap until their next fixture against Burnley on 17 January.
However, if Egypt manage to power their way through the competition, they could find themselves in the final on 18 January, potentially seeing the ex-Chelsea man not play again for the Reds until near the end of January.
Although, given his questionable form of late, Slot will be hoping his international exploits will prove fruitful in getting his prized winger back to the top of his game.