Liverpool will be without star forward Mohamed Salah for a period of time as he prepares to help Egypt at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco
Mohamed Salah applauds the fans after Liverpool's win over Brighton
Mohamed Salah could miss eight Liverpool games as he heads to the Africa Cup of Nations
(Image: Getty Images)
Below is a summary of how many matches Mohamed Salah could miss for Liverpool during the Africa Cup of Nations...
Departure and Tournament Timing: Mohamed Salah joined the Egypt national team on December 15, 2025, for the tournament in Morocco. This departure coincides with the start of the busiest period in the English football calendar.
Initial Premier League Absences: The first major game Salah will miss is the away trip to Tottenham Hotspur on December 20. Following this, he will be absent for the home match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 27.
New Year Fixtures: Liverpool will have to face Leeds United on New Year's Day without their star winger. Depending on Egypt's progress, he is also likely to miss the trip to Fulham on January 4.
The Arsenal Clash: A significant blow for the Reds is Salah's likely absence for the high-stakes match against Arsenal on January 8. This fixture could be crucial for Liverpool’s position in the title race.
FA Cup and Burnley: Salah is expected to miss the FA Cup third round scheduled for the weekend of January 10–11. Additionally, he will be unavailable for the home game against Burnley on January 17.
Total Potential Games Missed: If Egypt reaches the final on January 18, Salah could miss up to eight Liverpool matches in total. This includes six Premier League games, one FA Cup tie, and a Champions League fixture.
Champions League Impact: Should Egypt go deep into the tournament, Salah’s return might be delayed past the AFCON final. This would potentially rule him out of the Champions League group stage match against Marseille.
Slot’s Tactical Challenge: Manager Arne Slot must find a way to navigate this period without Salah, who remains Liverpool’s most essential attacking threat. Options to replace him on the right flank include Federico Chiesa or shifting other forwards into that role.
Club vs. Country Compromise Liverpool and the Egyptian FA reached an agreement to delay his release until after the Brighton game. This compromise aims to balance the player's importance to his club with his leadership role for the national team.