Mohamed Salah Faces Potential Absence from Crucial Liverpool Premier League Clash

Liverpool supporters celebrated when Mohamed Salah extended his contract for another two years in April, however their joy was somewhat dampened following the Premier League schedule announcement, particularly a major showdown with Arsenal that coincides with his international commitments for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Despite being well into his thirties, Salah demonstrated his exceptional abilities by delivering one of the most outstanding Premier League campaigns in 2024–25.

His extraordinary tally of 47 goals and assists across 38 league matches, featuring in every single game, was particularly impressive considering his form appeared to decline during the latter part of the previous season. However, Salah has found new life under Arne Slot's guidance.

Liverpool are working towards a long-term transformation. Trent Alexander-Arnold has departed, Andrew Robertson is attracting interest, and Darwin Núñez is considered expendable. Jeremie Frimpong has joined the club, Florian Wirtz is set to arrive, along with Milos Kerkez. The goalkeeping position also faces fresh competition with Giorgi Mamardashvili's pending arrival.

However, Salah remains crucial to the team's success. This makes the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, running from December 21, 2025, through January 18, 2026, a minor worry for Liverpool.

Egypt, the tournament's most successful nation with seven titles, has secured qualification for their 27th appearance and seeks their first African championship since 2010. Salah has yet to claim this trophy, having made his international debut in 2011, though he has reached the final twice, in 2017 and 2021. Continental glory remains the missing piece in his career.

Since the Africa Cup of Nations occurs during the domestic season, he will be unavailable for Liverpool fixtures. Should Egypt reach the final, he would be absent for six matches. Even if the Pharaohs unexpectedly exit at the group stage—though they should advance from a group featuring South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe—Salah would still miss three Liverpool encounters.

Egypt's AFCON campaign doesn't commence until December 22, facing Zimbabwe—with all group matches taking place in Agadir, Morocco—but Salah must join the national squad before Liverpool's scheduled Premier League encounter against Tottenham Hotspur (away) on December 20.

The Reds are subsequently set to meet Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leeds United in December's remaining fixtures, after which Salah could rejoin Liverpool if Egypt exits early.

Should they advance to the elimination rounds, Salah might miss additional Premier League encounters against Fulham, Arsenal—a potentially crucial match at the Emirates Stadium, and Burnley. Furthermore, the FA Cup third round is scheduled for January 10. If Egypt reaches the AFCON final, Salah would likely also miss Liverpool's seventh Champions League league phase fixture, planned for two or three days following the final at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

Liverpool Fixtures Mohamed Salah Could Miss While at 2025 AFCON