Manchester United and Liverpool are among the Premier League clubs set to lose players to the Africa Cup of Nations with Bryan Mbeumo and Mohamed Salah two of the big names involved
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah warming up prior to kick-off before the Premier League match at the London Stadium.
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah will join up with Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations later this month
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Premier League clubs including Manchester United and Liverpool have been handed a boost with a new FIFA ruling allowing them to keep players for an extra week ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament starts on December 21 with several Premier League players involved.
FIFA have said that clubs do not have to release their players for the tournament until December 15. The deadline is a week later than had initially thought.
It means that players including Mohamed Salah will be available for Premier League games over the weekend of December 13-14. Arne Slot, speaking on Tuesday morning, admitted: "He'll go on December 15."
The Kop boss added: "The way we have worked is that there's a communication between all three - the player, the club and country. That's nothing new. But FIFA have said December 15 is last day player has to be released."
If the deadline will allow Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui to play in their clash against Bournemouth on December 15, is still to be seen.
It's not only Liverpool and United who could benefit. The Premier League side most impacted by the tournament is newly-promoted Sunderland. The Black Cats have as many as seven players expected to feature. They could all now be available for the Wear-Tyne Derby against Newcastle United on December 14.
Three teams who will not be impacted at all by the tournament are Arsenal, Chelsea and Leeds United. The trio have no players in their squad who will represent their countries in the competition.
Speaking ahead of his team's Premier League game against Everton last week, United boss Ruben Amorim said that the club was working to keep the players at the club for as long as they could.
“We have the rules, when we have to release the players, so we will see," he said. “We are doing our job to try and maintain the players a little bit longer, but it is not just in our hands. We need to respect that, but we will try to do everything to protect the club, protect the players and protect the national team."
He also took a positive view on the absence of the players for the tournament.
Bryan Mbeumo during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United at Selhurst Park.
Bryan Mbeumo is one of three Manchester United players expected to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations later this month.
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“It is a circumstance that we already knew, but it is an opportunity for other players," he said. "We also have the Under-21s and we need to also send a message in that time, so we will see.
"But of course, it is not ideal because they [Amad, Mazraoui and Mbeumo] are so important in our team and we don't have a long squad. But our Academy is for this moment, and we will be ready.”
The tournament starts on December 21 with hosts Morocco taking on Comoros. The final is due to take place on January 18.
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