Liverpool is awaiting a verdict on when it must release Mohamed Salah to the Egypt national team ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The tournament begins on December 21, with Egypt's first game coming the following day, but Liverpool will have to let Salah leave earlier than that for a pre-tournament training camp.
Egypt is also in action in the Arab Cup ahead of AFCON, kicking off its campaign on December 2, but it is not mandatory for Liverpool to release Salah for that event.
Egypt has opted to choose a 'B' squad for the Arab Cup, which mainly consists of Egypt-based players, with the main squad's full focus firmly on AFCON.
The main squad has a friendly against Nigeria on December 7, and Egypt's manager wants Salah to play in it, but Liverpool is hopeful of keeping hold of Salah until after the Premier League game against Brighton on December 13.
FIFA is expected to demand that clubs release their players two weeks before the start of the tournament, which would be December 7, and would see Salah miss games against Inter Milan on December 9 as well as the aforementioned Brighton game.
Salah will definitely miss Liverpool's games against Tottenham, Wolves and Leeds over the festive period, and his availability for any of Liverpool's games beyond that will depend on how far into the tournament Egypt progresses.
The Reds may not miss Salah as much as they might have had AFCON taken place a year ago, when the 33-year-old was at the top of his game. Salah has had a disappointing 2025-26 season so far, scoring just four goals for Liverpool from open play.
Salah is having a difficult season
(Image: Getty Images)
Despite Salah's struggles, former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard rubbished calls for Liverpool to drop Salah after Wednesday's heavy loss to PSV Eindhoven.
Gerrard told TNT Sports: "What is the other option [if Salah is dropped]? Chiesa is more of an impact player, and I think it sends the wrong message to everyone.
"Liverpool is in a real difficult moment. Salah is a senior player, vice-captain and has been the talisman. He has been an iconic figure here.
"That doesn't mean he should start every single game, and you can rest him or take him off in games, but whoever is managing Liverpool would start Mo Salah. Liverpool needs its best players on the pitch."