Mohamed Salah Set to Return? Liverpool Fans Await Star's Availability Against Burnley Following AFCON Heartbreak
Liverpool have had to manage without Mohamed Salah throughout most of the busy holiday schedule, but his comeback is approaching soon.
The 33-year-old forward last featured for Liverpool in their 2–0 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion in mid-December—a match where tensions were resolved following his notable public comments—but has been unavailable since then due to national team duties.
The attacking player has been competing for Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco, and although Salah has performed well individually in the competition, he won't achieve his maiden AFCON championship after losing in the semi-finals to former teammate Sadio Mané's Senegal squad.
Liverpool's upcoming fixture is this Saturday afternoon when they welcome relegation-threatened Burnley in Premier League action, but will Salah be ready for selection after his AFCON elimination?
Will Mohamed Salah Be Available Against Burnley?
Will Mohamed Salah Be Available Against Burnley?
The brief response is negative. Although Senegal eliminated them in Wednesday's semi-final, Salah won't be returning to Merseyside immediately. He will instead participate in the AFCON third-place playoff against fellow semi-final losers Nigeria, with this encounter scheduled just one hour after Liverpool's kickoff versus Burnley on Saturday.
Salah aims to help Egypt claim third place and increase his tournament goal count, which currently sits at four strikes across six appearances. Only Morocco's Brahim Díaz has netted more than the Liverpool forward, and both will compete for the Golden Boot this weekend along with Nigeria's Victor Osimhen, who has also found the net four times.
Arne Slot must persist without Salah for another fixture at minimum, and it seems probable that Dominik Szoboszlai will receive another opportunity on the right flank. Jeremie Frimpong has performed admirably in that position lately but is now required at right-back due to Conor Bradley's campaign-ending setback, indicating the Hungarian should return to his wide role.
When Will Mohamed Salah Return for Liverpool?
When Will Mohamed Salah Return for Liverpool?
After the bronze medal match, Salah is expected to return to Liverpool either Sunday or Monday. Naturally, following such an intensive spell with Egypt, it seems improbable he'll be thrust straight back into the first eleven.
Liverpool travel to face Marseille in Champions League action on Jan. 21, and Salah might be included in the squad making the trip. Should he miss the French encounter, he's almost guaranteed to feature in some capacity against Bournemouth on Jan. 24—at which time he'll have enjoyed a complete week's rest since his final AFCON appearance.
Salah hasn't reached his explosive peak form this campaign by any stretch, and questions about his future continue to circulate, but Slot will welcome the experienced player's return, particularly with attacking options reduced due to Alexander Isak's injury concerns.