The Mohamed Salah contract saga is finally over but his new two-year deal doesn’t solve all of Arne Slot’s puzzles next season.
Liverpool’s Title Charge Unshaken Despite Contract Uncertainty and Upcoming Salah Absence
Liverpool are cruising toward what could be their second Premier League title of the modern era, even as speculation swirls around the future of several senior players.
While Mohamed Salah recently committed to a new two-year deal, the futures of Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold remain unresolved. The latter is widely tipped for a move to Real Madrid once his contract expires, leaving fans anxious about the club’s long-term defensive core.
Despite those concerns, Salah continues to be the Premier League’s most productive forward. At 32, the Egyptian star leads Europe’s top five leagues in both goals and assists this season, playing a central role in Liverpool’s dominant campaign.
However, Liverpool are bracing for a major setback next season. Due to FIFA’s expansion of the Club World Cup and the rescheduling of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Salah is expected to miss up to ten matches—including as many as six in the Premier League.
AFCON absences are nothing new for English clubs with African internationals, but the overlap with the festive and New Year fixtures will make this particularly disruptive. Traditionally held in January and February, AFCON has undergone several changes in recent years. The 2025 edition will be staged in Morocco from December 21 to January 18.
CAF had hoped to move the tournament to the summer, but with FIFA’s Club World Cup set to be hosted in the U.S. during that period, AFCON was forced to maintain its winter slot—landing it right in the heart of the Premier League’s busiest stretch.
As Liverpool look to the future, managing squad depth and preparing for Salah’s temporary absence will be crucial in maintaining their momentum at the top.
This means the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will remain in its traditional winter slot—landing during the most congested period of the Premier League and English football season, rather than the relatively quieter early weeks of the new year.
According to Felix Keith of The Mirror, the timing could significantly impact Liverpool’s campaign. Based on this season’s schedule, Salah might miss as many as six Premier League games, along with one each in the Champions League and FA Cup, and two Carabao Cup fixtures—especially if Egypt progresses deep into the tournament.
Once again, Liverpool’s squad depth will be tested. Fortunately, the club has past experience in navigating AFCON-related absences, having previously coped without both Salah and Sadio Mané during key stretches.
Given the immense value players like Salah bring to the squad, the trade-off is one Liverpool have long deemed worthwhile.
