Mohamed Salah is set for talks with Egypt boss Hossam Hassan next week as Liverpool look to avoid a club-versus-country row ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations
Mohamed Salah is set to miss a sustained period of action for Liverpool due to the Africa Cup of Nations
Mohamed Salah is set to miss a sustained period of action for Liverpool due to the Africa Cup of Nations
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Liverpool's Mohamed Salah is set for crucial discussions with Egypt manager Hossam Hassan next week, in an attempt to sidestep another club-versus-country disagreement ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Egypt are scheduled to have a training camp before taking on United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 6 December, Jordan on 9 December and Nigeria on 14 December as part of their preparations for the winter tournament.
As per WinWin, Egypt's boss Hassan has the authority to summon Liverpool's Salah - and Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush - for these three matches. However, Liverpool, who have Premier League fixtures against Leeds United and Brighton - as well as a Champions League match against Inter Milan that week - want Salah available for these games.
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As reported by the Daily Mail, Salah would also rather stay and play these competitive matches for Liverpool, before then departing for duty with Egypt the following week.
Salah, 33, is expected to meet with Hassan during the November international break, with Egypt due to face Uzbekistan on 14 November and Algeria on 17 November in two friendlies.
The former Chelsea and Roma player is eager to avoid a dispute between his club and country - two years after Liverpool wrote to Egypt requesting him to be exempt from an international camp to improve his long-term health.
Mohamed Salah of Egypt
Mohamed Salah will hope to win AFCON for the first time, having twice finished runner-up with Egypt
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Residents in Cairo, Egypt's capital, were outraged and claimed it was 'their right' to call up Salah. However, the national team ended up accepting Liverpool's request and Salah remained on Merseyside.
Liverpool and Egypt are now in discussions about when Salah will be permitted to depart for the upcoming AFCON tournament, which kicks off on 21 December and continues until 18 January, in Morocco.
Assuming Salah gets his wish and departs after the Brighton match on 13 December, the worst-case scenario could see him miss eight matches for the Reds.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool
Mohamed Salah is reportedly set for key talks(Image: Mateo Villalba, Getty Images)
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He would be out of action for Premier League matches against Tottenham, Wolves, Leeds, Fulham, Arsenal and Burnley, as well as a Champions League match at Marseille four days after the AFCON final and the FA Cup third round in early January.
If Egypt make it to the last two, Salah's return to Liverpool could be against Bournemouth on 24 January.
Despite struggling with form this season, Salah has managed to score five goals and provide three assists in 15 appearances for the Reds.
He has found the back of the net in each of his last two Premier League matches.
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