Mohamed Salah may soon find himself at the centre of growing tension between Liverpool and the Egyptian national team.
The 33-year-old forward is already expected to miss a crucial run of Liverpool fixtures over the Christmas period due to the Africa Cup of Nations, which runs from 21 December to 18 January. With Egypt among the favourites to go far in the tournament, Salah’s absence could stretch well into January.
New reports from Egypt suggest head coach Hossam Hassan wants his squad to assemble two weeks before AFCON begins, a move that would eat even further into Salah’s availability for Liverpool.
But Salah is reportedly pushing to stay on Merseyside for as long as possible. According to Lewis Steele of Mail Sport, the Liverpool star plans to speak directly with Hassan next week in hopes of finding a compromise that works for both club and country.
Early Departure Could Cost Liverpool Key Matches
By AFCON regulations, Egypt can require Salah to report 14 days before the tournament. If Hassan insists on that timeline, Salah would miss:
- The Champions League clash away to Inter Milan (9 December)
- The Premier League match against Brighton (13 December)
Sources say Salah is eager to play both fixtures before travelling, especially since Liverpool’s Carabao Cup exit leaves their schedule relatively clear afterward.
How Many Games Might Salah Miss?
Best-case scenario for Liverpool:
Salah plays against Inter and Brighton, Egypt exit early, and he returns just in time for the New Year’s Day match vs Leeds — though even that is tight.
Worst-case scenario:
He joins Egypt’s camp early and they reach the semi-finals or final. In that case, Salah could miss up to eight matches, including high-profile trips to Tottenham and Arsenal.
A History of AFCON Challenges
This will be Salah’s third mid-season departure for the tournament. While everything ran smoothly four years ago, his early return to Liverpool injured during the 2023 edition caused frustration among Egyptian fans. His form dipped afterward, and Liverpool’s title push collapsed.
Liverpool Hoping for a Compromise
With Salah seemingly keen to delay his departure, Liverpool will be hoping Hossam Hassan agrees to a flexible timeline. Both sides want to avoid a repeat of previous tensions — but a resolution will depend on next week’s discussions.
