Mohamed Salah may miss as many as seven video games subsequent season because of the Africa Cup of Nations.
AFCON is scheduled between December 21 and January 18, throughout which period Liverpool have six fixtures, with a visit to Tottenham the day earlier than it begins.
Final time Egypt solely made it so far as the final 16 however Salah sustained a hamstring harm on the event which saved him out till February 13, 2024.
That meant he missed further fixtures towards Chelsea, Arsenal, and Burnley, with the Reds shedding their Gunners task 3-1.
This time, supplied Egypt attain the ultimate, Salah will miss league video games towards Tottenham, Wolves, Leeds, Fulham, Arsenal, and Burnley, in addition to an FA Cup third-round tie.
Even when Egypt crash out within the group phases – an unlikely situation given they’re one of many favourites – he would miss the primary three video games.
Liverpool might must traverse seven video games with out Mo Salah subsequent season attributable to AFCON
Salah may even miss a crunch conflict with Arsenal if Egypt progress far sufficient
Arne Slot drew each of his video games towards Arsenal as Liverpool stormed to the title final season
The timing of AFCON and attitudes in direction of the event are sometimes an uncomfortable topic for gamers, who really feel pressured to devalue their worldwide duties.
Andre Onana missed the primary sport of the 2023-24 event as a result of he agreed to play an additional sport for Manchester United and skilled journey disruption.
In the meantime, Salah confronted criticism from inside Egypt after struggling a hamstring harm for them and flying again to Liverpool for remedy.
Egypt’s legendary former midfielder Ahmed Hassan claimed Salah ought to have stayed to assist his team-mates, however the celebrity’s agent insisted remedy in Liverpool was the most effective route and that ‘influencers’ have been piling on for clout.
Liverpool followers could also be significantly involved about how they might fare towards Arsenal given their shut encounters final season.
The pair drew 2-2 twice within the league, with Salah scoring a late equaliser within the first match on the Emirates.
Liverpool haven’t fared terribly whereas lacking gamers attributable to AFCON earlier than.
They missed Salah and Sadio Mane within the 2021-22 season for six video games, however went undefeated throughout this era as Senegal reached the ultimate to beat Egypt.
Salah, 33, retains a burning ambition to win AFCON after heartbreak within the last in 2017 and 2021.
Final 12 months he mentioned: ‘I’d like to win it [AFCON], completely I’d like to win it. I simply mentioned I would like every thing potential however this one nonetheless not but, it is going to occur by some means that is what I imagine. No matter I imagine, I obtain, so it is going to occur. Eventually, it is going to occur.’
