Liverpool are starting their search for a Mo Salah successorplaceholder image
Liverpool are starting their search for a Mo Salah successor | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Will Liverpool fans see Mo Salah in action this weekend before he leaves for AFCON?
The Egyptian did not travel as part of the Champions League squad to face Inter Milan on Tuesday, following bombshell comments about his situation at the club.
Salah rocked the football world when he opted to speak to the media after Liverpool’s recent 3-3 draw with Leeds United. He was an unused substitute during the visit to Elland Road, marking the third game in a row he had been named on the bench.
Now, his cryptic comments ahead of the Brighton match have got fans wondering if he will be leaving Liverpool in the new year.
What did Mo Salah say?
During his explosive post-match conversation, Salah hinted that this weekend could mark his final outing for Liverpool.
“I called my mum yesterday and told them to come to the Brighton game,” he said. “We'll see what's going to happen. In my head, I'm going to enjoy that game if I play or not, if I'm on the bench or not. I don't know what's going to happen now.
“That's going to be at Anfield, say 'goodbye' to the fans, go the Africa Cup. I don't know what will happen when I'm there.”
Salah also accused Liverpool of ‘throwing him under the bus’ and argued that he doesn’t need to fight for his place in the team each week.
Will Mo Salah play for Liverpool this weekend vs Brighton?
Fans will need to wait until Saturday to see if Arne Slot decides to include Salah in his match-day squad.
Slot was asked ahead of the Brighton clash about Salah’s future at Liverpool and said he has ‘no reasons to not want him to stay’. The manager also confirmed he will ‘have a conversation’ with the winger, which could decide whether he is included in the team or not.
“The outcome of that conversation determines how things will look [on Saturday],” Slot said in his pre-match press conference.
Have Mo Salah and Arne Slot made up?
Salah’s comments about his purportedly non-existent relationship with Slot have also raised concerns about his future at Liverpool.
“Before, I had a good relationship with the manager and, all of a sudden, we don't have any relationship. I don't know why. It seems to me that someone doesn't want me in the club,” he said during his bombshell interview.
Slot’s comments about his next conversation with Salah influencing his involvement against Brighton also suggest things have not been patched up between the two.
When does Mo Salah leave for AFCON?
The Africa Cup of Nations gets underway on Sunday, December 21st.
FIFA recently pushed back the deadline for clubs to release their players for the tournament. Those competing at AFCON will need to join their national teams by December 15th, a week later than the original deadline of December 8th.
The extended deadline means Salah will be able to feature against Brighton, if he is selected, and will depart for Morocco by Monday. Egypt’s first AFCON match will be against Zimbabwe on December 22nd.
Salah could be unavailable for Liverpool for as long as mid-January, depending on how far Egypt reach in the competition. The final group stage games will be held on December 31st but should the Pharaohs make it all the way to the final, they will be out in Morocco until January 18th.
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