Mohamed Salah is set to join up with his Egyptian team-mates for the Africa Cup Of Nations this month, and Liverpool have now been given the date that they must release the forward for by FIFA
Mohamed Salah must be released for the Africa Cup Of Nations by December 15. It comes as a major boost to Arne Slot and Liverpool, who had reportedly hoped to keep hold of the forward for the Reds’ clash with Brighton only until December 13.
It comes as Slot hinted at when Salah would be leaving Anfield during a press conference looking towards Liverpool’s game against Sunderland earlier this week. Speaking on Tuesday, the Dutchman said: “It is the 15th of December.
“As always there is the nation involved, the player involved and the club. There are always talks about what is the best for all three of us. We have to find a way to play without him as he’ll not be here. That’s true.”
This year’s instalment of AFCON takes place between December 21 and January 18, and the amount of matches Salah will miss in total for the Reds depends on how far Egypt progress through the tournament. After the recent announcement, Salah will be free to participate in Liverpool’s match against Sunderland on Wednesday evening, and can appear against Leeds United at the weekend.
He will also be available for selection for the Red’s Champions League fixture with Inter Milan come Tuesday, December 9, as well as the club’s top flight battle with Brighton on Saturday, December 13. As a result of AFCON, Salah will then miss Liverpool’s matches against Tottenham, Wolves and reverse clash with Leeds United, which land on December 20, December 27 and January 1, respectively.
But he could also miss further matches for his club depending on how far Egypt progress in the tournament. As it runs until January 18, Salah could in-turn be absent for Liverpool’s matches against Fulham, Arsenal and Burnley in the New Year, as well as the third round of the FA Cup.
Here are all of the matches which Salah might miss for Liverpool:
- Tottenham (A) – Premier League – December 20
- Wolves (H) – Premier League – December 27
- Leeds United (H) – Premier League – January 1
- Fulham (A) – Premier League – January 4
- Arsenal (A) – Premier League – January 8
- FA Cup third round proper – January 10
- Burnley (H) – Premier League – January 17
It comes as Slot will be focused on utilising Salah’s talents while he has them at hand, as the Reds play host to Sunderland AFC on Wednesday evening. It’s been a tough start to the season for the defending Premier League champions, who find themselves languishing at 8th in the table after seven wins and six losses from their opening 13.
The team has also managed just two wins from their last eight league matches, enduring one of the most challenging periods at Anfield in recent history. However, after bagging a 2-0 win over West Ham at the weekend, Liverpool fans will hope that the fixture marks a turning point in a turbulent term.
A high-flying Sunderland could prove problematic at the Kop on Wednesday evening. Regis Le Bris has helped silence critics who bookmarked the Black Cats to suffer relegation in their first season back in the English top flight in almost a decade.
At the time of writing, the Wearside outfit sit sixth in the Premier League standings with six wins, four draws and three losses from their opening 13, and will hope to climb as high as third with a win over the Reds on the road. Kick-off is slated for 8.15pm.
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