Liverpool are preparing for a prolonged period without their star forward Mohamed Salah, with the possibility of his absence stretching beyond a month due to the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
Salah's Struggles and Early Departure
The Egyptian international, who recently signed a new two-year deal, is experiencing his least productive season since arriving at Anfield nearly a decade ago. Salah has managed just two Premier League goals since mid-September and hasn't registered an assist in any competition since the Merseyside derby victory over two months ago.
According to reports, Egypt want Salah to join their squad for a mid-December friendly before the tournament begins. This could see him miss the Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion on December 13, significantly extending his expected absence over the Christmas period.
Significant Fixture Absence
If Egypt's request is granted, Salah's mid-December exit could mean more than a month without the forward for Liverpool. The Africa Cup of Nations runs from December 21 to January 18, with Egypt beginning their campaign against Zimbabwe on December 22.
Depending on Egypt's progress in the tournament, Salah could miss as many as seven games for Liverpool. This extended period will provide manager Arne Slot with an unprecedented opportunity to see how his team performs without their usually indispensable attacker.
Growing Criticism and Team Dynamics
With Salah's goal contributions declining sharply, his overall impact is facing increased scrutiny. Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been among vocal critics calling for Slot to drop the forward, while Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher recently questioned Salah's leadership during the team's difficult run.
Carragher remarked: "I only ever hear Salah speak when he gets Man of the Match, or when he needs a new contract. I'd like to see Mo Salah come out as one of the leaders, one of the legends of Liverpool, come out and speak for the team."
Liverpool's attacking rebuild has struggled to find consistency following summer signings Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, and Florian Wirtz. The Champions League performance of Wirtz on the right-hand side against Frankfurt offered a glimpse of potential alternatives, making Salah's enforced absence a crucial testing period for Slot's tactical options.
Negotiations between Liverpool and the Egyptian Football Association remain ongoing, with the relationship described as healthy. Egypt's technical director Ibrahim Hassan confirmed: "We are still in contact with Liverpool and Manchester City at the moment for this matter."
