Mohamed Salah was in action for Egypt against Benin at the Africa Cup of Nations as the Liverpool superstar looked to help his country reach the next round.
Mohamed Salah’s return to Liverpool has, once again, been delayed due to Egypt reaching the next round of the Africa Cup of Nations. Salah was in action for his country in their last-16 tie against Benin on Monday evening.
The Liverpool star has been taking part in AFCON with Egypt since last month, which has seen Salah miss the last four matches for the Reds. Monday night saw Egypt take on Benin in the last-16 tie at AFCON – with a place in the quarter-final up for grabs.
Egypt claimed a 3-1 victory at Adrar Stadium in Morocco, with Salah scoring his country’s third goal.
READ MORE: I made Liverpool target change his mind – now his £43m transfer could get doneREAD MORE: Liverpool reaction to changes speaks volumes as Curtis Jones makes revenge claim – ‘I’d never say’
The tie went to extra-time after the match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, with Marwan Attia on the score-sheet for Egypt and Jodel Dossou equalising for Benin.
Egypt went on to win the game due to a goal from Yasser Ibrahim, with Salah in turn going on to seal their victory with a goal in stoppage-time to help send his country through to the next round of the tournament.
Egypt’s win means that Salah will not be returning to Merseyside anytime soon – as he will now prepare to feature for his country in their quarter-final showdown at AFCON.
While their opponents are yet to be confirmed, Egypt already know that their game will take place this Saturday – meaning Salah will definitely miss Liverpool’s Premier League clash against Arsenal on Thursday night.
There’s now also the likelihood that Salah will miss Liverpool’s FA Cup third-round tie against Barnsley on January 12, which will take place two days after Egypt’s AFCON quarter-final.
Should Egypt reach the semi-final of AFCON, both games are pencilled in to be played on January 14.
Liverpool’s next match after Barnsley will see them play Burnley on January 17 at Anfield in the Premier League.
For the latest news and breaking news, visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc. Get all the major headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @LivEchoLFC – the official Liverpool ECHO LFC Twitter account – for all the latest LFC news as it happens in real time.
We’re also on Facebook/LiverpoolEchoLFC – your must-see LFC news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.
Listen to our podcasts by searching for ‘Blood Red’ wherever you get your podcasts.
Sign up for one of the Liverpool ECHO’s free daily and weekly newsletters on Liverpool FC by clicking here.
