Liverpool Eyes Future Without Salah Despite New Contract
Mohamed Salah may have recently committed his future to Liverpool with a new two-year extension running until 2027, but the club is already laying the groundwork for a future without their iconic winger.
The 32-year-old’s new deal brought relief and celebration among fans, ending months of speculation. However, with Salah set to turn 35 when his contract expires, new head coach Arne Slot is naturally beginning to consider long-term successors for the right-wing role.
Salah to Miss Crucial Games Due to AFCON Duty
According to The Daily Express, Salah is expected to be unavailable for a significant stretch of the 2025/26 season, as Egypt has once again secured qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament, set to take place in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January, overlaps with the Premier League’s intense festive period.
If Egypt makes a deep run, which is highly likely, Salah could miss up to 10 matches, especially when factoring in travel and recovery time. This would leave Liverpool without one of their key attacking threats during a critical part of the campaign.
A Glimpse Into a Post-Salah Era
Liverpool fans are no strangers to AFCON-related absences. During the 2021/22 season, both Salah and Sadio Mané missed several games, yet the club still managed to win two trophies and nearly complete a historic quadruple.
Salah’s expected absence this time around could offer Slot a valuable opportunity to experiment with alternative options on the right wing — essentially a dress rehearsal for life after Salah. Although injury prevented his full participation in the 2024 edition, the Egyptian has consistently proven to be one of the most reliable players in the squad.
Nonetheless, the club must begin to prepare for the eventual transition. The 2025 AFCON may be a key moment in that planning process, giving Liverpool an early look at how they’ll cope without their No. 11 in the seasons to come.
