Liverpool have been dealt a significant blow after Egypt officially named Mohamed Salah in their squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. The Reds are now anxiously awaiting a final decision from world football's governing body, FIFA, on the mandatory release date for players, which will determine exactly when Salah departs Merseyside.
Key Fixtures Under Threat
The tournament in Morocco is scheduled to run from 21 December to 18 January, directly clashing with a congested period of the Premier League and European calendar. Should Egypt progress to the latter stages, Salah could miss a string of crucial Liverpool matches.
These potential absentees include Premier League fixtures against Wolves, Leeds United, Fulham, Arsenal, and Burnley, as well as a vital Champions League group stage clash with Inter Milan. His last appearance for the club before joining up with Egypt could be the trip to Leeds United on Saturday, 6 December.
The FIFA Decision Looms
The central uncertainty for manager Arne Slot revolves around FIFA's ruling. The governing body is expected to mandate that clubs release players two weeks before the tournament begins. If enforced, this would mean Salah leaves this Sunday, 7 December, ruling him out of the games against Inter Milan and Brighton & Hove Albion on 13 December.
However, reports indicate Liverpool are hopeful of retaining the 33-year-old forward for the Brighton match. Egypt's preparations include a training camp starting Wednesday and a friendly against Nigeria on 14 December, but clubs are not obliged to release players for such preparatory matches.
A Season of Struggle for Salah
Salah's potential absence comes during a season where his influence has notably waned compared to previous campaigns. The Egyptian king, instrumental in last season's title triumph, has found goals harder to come by in the 2025/26 season, registering only five goals and three assists across all competitions to date.
Liverpool's form has also dipped, with the reigning champions currently sitting in eighth place in the table. While Sunday's 2-0 win over West Ham offered hope, the prospect of losing a player of Salah's calibre, even during a lean patch, presents a major challenge for Slot's side as they seek to regain momentum during the busy festive schedule.
