Mohamed Salah is reportedly set to meet Egypt manager Hossam Hassan imminently according to a reliable journalist.
Image Credits: Imago Images
The Africa Cup of Nations looms large on Liverpool’s horizon once more, with Mohamed Salah preparing to depart Merseyside in the coming weeks for international duty in Morocco.
The tournament, running from December 21 through January 18, represents the kind of mid-season disruption that clubs have grown reluctant to accept, yet remain powerless to prevent.
The 33-year-old is set to captain the Pharaohs as they pursue their record eighth AFCON title with Salah still missing the trophy from his cabinet.
The timing of Salah’s release remains the pressing question for Liverpool.
While officials are permitted to call up players from December 7 onwards, reports suggest Salah will remain at Anfield through Brighton’s visit on December 13 before linking up with Egypt’s camp immediately after that fixture.
Egypt’s pre-tournament friendly against Nigeria is scheduled for December 14 in Cairo, but Salah and Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush are expected to miss that preparation opportunity, only joining their respective national squads days before the tournament commences.
Now Lewis Steele, writing in his Liverpool Confidential, has revealed that Liverpool’s N0.10 is set for crunch talks with Egypt manager Hossam Hassan to ensure there is no friction:
“Mohamed Salah is set to sit down for crunch talks with Egypt boss Hossam Hassan next week to avoid another club-versus-country row ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.”
“Egypt have a training camp and warm-up friendly on the week commencing December 8.”
“Liverpool, however, play Inter Milan away in the Champions League and Brighton at home in the Premier League that week – and want their star forward, who is just coming back into form, for those fixtures.”
“It is understood Salah would also prefer to stay and play those competitive matches for Liverpool.”
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