The Africa Cup of Nations is set to start next month and Liverpool have been given a major boost regarding Mohamed Salah
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah is set to take part in the African Cup of Nations later this month.
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Liverpool have been given a huge boost regarding Mohamed Salah's involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations after FIFA granted Premier League clubs an extra week to keep hold of their stars.
The Daily Mail reports top flight clubs will now be able to keep their key players until December 15, with the tournament in Morocco running from December 21 to January 18.
It means Arne Slot will have Salah available for the clash with Brighton on December 13th. Egypt are among the favourites to win the competition and the Reds could be without their talisman for several key games over the festive period.
Salah was named in Egypt's squad for AFCON on Monday night and if they get to the final of the competition, Salah could miss up to seven games against Spurs, Wolves, Leeds United, Fulham, Arsenal, Burnley and an FA Cup fixture which is yet to be drawn.
There is, in theory, a chance Salah could depart before the cut-off date with Egypt having a friendly against Nigeria on Sunday, 14 December.
However, it's worth bearing in mind that it's not compulsory for Liverpool to release Salah for that game, with the Reds looking to address their disappointing start to the season. Slot's men may have won the Premier League title and spent big during the summer transfer window, but have not been able to rediscover the form that saw them romp to silverware last season.
Salah is one of a number of stars to have come under fire this season for his disappointing performances and was left on the bench for the 2-0 win over West Ham United at the weekend.
Explaining that decision, Slot said: "Every time I don’t play Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike or Mohamed Salah, it’s about that which is understandable as they are all outstanding players.
"Mo has had an unbelievable career at this club and will have a very good future at this club because he is such a special player.
“Four games in 10 days with only 14-15 outfield players available for us, then you have to decide once in a while to make a certain line-up and you try to pick the best line-up for every single game.
“Today, with the way West Ham set-up with a full-back that is constantly high and a winger who is constantly inside, I thought that this could help the team.
“But Mo has been so important for this club and will be important for this club in the future."
Liverpool are next in action on Wednesday night when they host high flying Sunderland who have been the Premier League's surprise package after winning promotion last season.
Regis Le Bris side currently sit in sixth place, a point ahead of the Reds ahead of the clash at Anfield.