The competition begins on December 21, with Egypt playing its opening match the following day, but Liverpool will be required to release Salah earlier for Egypt’s pre-tournament training camp. ..Continue Reading
Egypt also participates in the Arab Cup before AFCON, starting its campaign on December 2, but Liverpool is not obliged to send Salah for that competition.
For the Arab Cup, Egypt has selected a ‘B’ squad made up mostly of domestic-based players, keeping the first-choice team’s full attention on AFCON.
The primary squad is scheduled to face Nigeria in a friendly on December 7, and Egypt’s manager wants Salah involved. Liverpool, however, hopes to keep Salah until after its Premier League match against Brighton on December 13.
FIFA is expected to instruct clubs to release players two weeks prior to the tournament’s start—meaning December 7—which would force Salah to miss the clash with Inter Milan on December 9 as well as the Brighton match mentioned earlier.
Salah is certain to miss Liverpool’s fixtures against Tottenham, Wolves, and Leeds during the holiday period, and whether he is available for subsequent matches will depend on how far Egypt advances in the tournament.
The Reds may not feel Salah’s absence as sharply as they might have last season, when the 33-year-old was performing at his peak.
This season, Salah has struggled, managing only four open-play goals for Liverpool in the 2025–26 campaign.
Despite his dip in form, former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard dismissed suggestions that Liverpool should drop Salah following Wednesday’s heavy defeat to PSV Eindhoven.
Gerrard told TNT Sports: “What is the other option [if Salah is dropped]? Chiesa is more of an impact player, and I think it sends the wrong message to everyone.
“Liverpool is in a real difficult moment. Salah is a senior player, vice-captain and has been the talisman. He has been an iconic figure here.
“That doesn’t mean he should start every single game, and you can rest him or take him off in games, but whoever is managing Liverpool would start Mo Salah. Liverpool needs its best players on the pitch.”
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