Due to his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, Mohamed Salah will be absent from four Liverpool matches. However, if he performs well in the competition, he could miss up to nine games for the Reds. This is the second consecutive year that AFCON is being held in January and February, and Liverpool will have to do without Salah during this time. The number of games he misses will depend on Egypt’s progress in the tournament, as well as Liverpool’s success in domestic cup competitions. Salah will definitely miss the FA Cup third-round tie against Arsenal, the away match against Bournemouth, and both legs of the League Cup semi-final against Fulham. Even if Egypt is eliminated after their final group game on January 22, Salah will still miss the second leg of the cup semi-final on January 24.
Arsenal (A) – FA Cup third round – Jan 7
Fulham (H) – League Cup semi-final first leg – Jan 10
Bournemouth (A) – Premier League – Jan 13
Fulham (A) – League Cup semi-final second leg – Jan 24
Could miss:
Potential FA Cup third round replay – W/C Jan 15
Potential FA Cup fourth round – Jan 27
Chelsea (H) – Premier League – Jan 31
Arsenal (A) – Premier League – Feb 4
Burnley (H) – Premier League – Feb 10
Moreover, another match would be added to this list should Liverpool require a replay for their FA Cup tie against the Gunners – which would take place in the week beginning January 15.
AFCON starts on January 13, and the final will take place on February 11, so there is a strong possibility of him missing up to a further five domestic games.
If Egypt progress to the round of 16, Salah will be all but unavailable for the visit of Chelsea on January 31, plus a possible FA Cup fourth-round, should the Reds qualify, on January 27.
A place in the quarter-final will add the league trip to Arsenal on February 4 to the games missed, and progress to the semi-final will rule him out of the visit of Burnley on February 10.
It is interesting to note that the last time Salah featured in the tournament he was back playing for Liverpool four days after the defeat in the final, he came on as a substitute.
The 31-year-old does not like to waste any time getting back to action and all Liverpool will hope is that when he does return, he does so fit and healthy and ready to add to his impressive contributions so far this season.
It will be a waiting game to see how far Egypt progress to the number of games he misses, and Liverpool’s progress, or lack thereof, in the FA Cup will also play a part.
