Mohamed Salah is set to miss “10 games” for Liverpool amid controversy over his participation in this season’s African Cup of Nations, according to reports.
Salah has seen a marked decline in his performances since winning the Premier League’s Player of the Year award in 2024/25 and has been criticized for his disappointing performance earlier this season.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure and Liverpool’s £400m-plus summer overhaul have had a negative impact on Salah, and his recent lack of cohesion with Arne Slott’s side has diminished his ability.
However, Salah and the rest of Liverpool’s squad have been on a roll in recent days, with important wins against Aston Villa and Real Madrid in the Premier League and Champions League.
This means their confidence will be boosted ahead of Sunday’s big game against Premier League title rivals Manchester City at the Etihad.
Read: Is Arne Slott considering a ‘tactical shock’ with Florian Wirtz as a false 9?
Liverpool will have to cope quickly without Salah, as he is scheduled to represent Egypt in the African Cup of Nations, which will be held from December 21st to January 18th.
Now, according to a report in the Daily Mail, Liverpool could be without Salah for longer than expected, as he is embroiled in a “new club vs. country dispute” which could see him miss 10 games.
Salah is said to be hoping to avoid conflict as he plans to “hold tense talks with Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan next week”.
Egypt’s training camp for the competition begins “in the week commencing 8 December”, with Liverpool playing Inter Milan and Brighton that week, and they “hope” he will play a role.
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Regarding Salah’s position, the report adds:
“It is understood that Salah also wants to remain at Liverpool and play international games for Liverpool.
“The 33-year-old is expected to hold talks with his manager next week, with Egypt set to play friendlies against Algeria and Uzbekistan.”
Former Premier League star Gus Poyet has explained what he expects from Salah and Virgil van Dijk in the coming weeks and months.
“When we talk about Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, we have to remember the situation last year when both players had to renew their contracts,” Poyet said.
“Nobody knew what was going on behind the scenes and there was a lot of uncertainty, but in the end we both stayed at the club and we won the league in Arne Slott’s first season.
“Salah and Van Dijk continue to have many responsibilities at the club, one as a leader at the back of the pitch and the other as a leader up front, responsible for making the difference and scoring goals.
“When a player signs a new contract, he relaxes a bit because the negotiations are over and everything has been signed. But in the Premier League you can’t afford to relax!”
“Salah and Van Dijk are two great professionals and I think they know they’ve had some disastrous matches in the past, but from what I saw in their last match, I think their tough times are over.”
