Image Credits: Imago Images
Mohamed Salah’s time at Liverpool this season has been uncharacteristically subdued, with the Egyptian forward enduring his most difficult spell since arriving at Anfield in 2017.
The 33-year-old has managed just five goals across all competitions so far – a stark contrast to the 13 he had at the same stage last season.
Arne Slot dropped Salah from the starting lineup for Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over West Ham on Sunday, marking the first time the winger had been benched in the Premier League since April 2024.
Slot has confirmed that Salah will depart for the Africa Cup of Nations on 15 December, in line with FIFA regulations.
Egypt’s opening group stage match against Zimbabwe kicks off on 22 December, with further fixtures against South Africa and Angola to follow.
Should Egypt progress deep into the tournament, which runs until 18 January, Salah could miss several crucial fixtures including Premier League clashes against Tottenham, Wolves, Leeds, Fulham, Arsenal, and Burnley.
Salah has often times struggled to show his best form after AFCON tournaments in the past, so it’s really not an ideal situation.
However, Fabrizio Romano – speaking on the Market Madness Podcast – has revealed that the Liverpool hierarchy is not worried about the Egyptian’s form:
“At the moment from Liverpool, the message is very clear.”
“They don’t want to judge anyone just because of these two, three months that have been complicated for all the superstars at Liverpool, almost all of them. So at the moment, the situation remains absolutely calm around Mo Salah. Then what happens next summer, we will see.”
“But at the moment, they are not trying to find a solution on the market. I can guarantee this, nor the player or the club. So at the moment, everything is still very calm.”
“It’s still very quiet. Then again, there is an important part of the season to play. We see what’s going to happen there.”
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