FIFA has confirmed the latest release date for players involved in the mid-season AFCON, with departure required by December 15.
That means Salah’s last game for Liverpool before joining the Egyptian squad will be at home to Brighton on December 13.
He will then lead his country in Group B battles with Zimbabwe, South Africa and Angola.
The AFCON 2025 runs from December 21 to January 18, meaning Salah will miss at least three games for Liverpool – and as many as eight.
Liverpool matches that Mo Salah will definitely miss for AFCON
With Salah joining Egypt for pre-season training on December 15 and their group matches scheduled for December 22, 26 and 29, he will miss the following matches for Liverpool:
• Tottenham (A) – Premier League – December 20
• Wolves (H) – Premier League – December 27
• Leeds (H) – Premier League – January 1
If Egypt are eliminated from the group stage, Salah could theoretically return in time for the game against Leeds on New Year’s Day.
However, Egypt’s early exit from the tournament is considered unlikely and the short period between matches – along with traveling back from Morocco and returning to training with Liverpool – makes participation even less likely.
The 5 extra Liverpool games Salah could miss
After the group stage concludes, AFCON will begin with the round of 16 knockouts, before the subsequent quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final, along with a third-place play-off.
Salah could therefore miss the next five games for Liverpool, depending on how far Egypt progresses:
• AFCON Round of 16 – January 3/4/5
• Fulham (A) – Premier League – January 4
• Arsenal (A) – Premier League – January 8
• AFCON Quarter-finals – January 9/10
• FA Cup third round – January 11
• AFCON semi-finals: January 14
• Burnley (H) – Premier League – January 17
• AFCON Final: January 18
• Marseille (A) – Champions League – January 21
Once again, Salah could well represent Egypt in the final or third play-off (which will take place on December 17) before returning to Liverpool’s Champions League tie in Marseille.
But Liverpool are unlikely to rush their number 11 back and risk any fitness issues after what promises to be a tough tournament.
Any missed matches will of course be adjusted based on Egypt’s progress: if Salah exits the round of 16, for example, he could be available for the trip to Arsenal or the third round of the FA Cup.
Liverpool’s options without Mo Salah
Arne Slot is expected to call on Dominik Szoboszlai on the right wing in the absence of Liverpool’s third all-time top scorer.
Jeremy Frimpong will also be considered in a more advanced attacking role, while Federico Chiesa is present and Florian Wirtz could also be deployed on the right flank.
Salah was completely left out of the 2-0 win over West Ham last time out, an early hint at Slot’s plans without the Egyptian.
• READ: Changes in Liverpool provide the blueprint for AFCON and life after Mo Salah
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