Mohamed Salah has finally learned who he will face in the Africa Cup of Nations group stage when the competition begins early in 2019.
Salah’s Pharaohs were placed in Group B of the inaugural stage of the competition, which will take place between January and February of 2024, along with Ghana, Cape Verde, and Mozambique, following the completion of the tournament’s draw on Thursday.
The competition will still be known officially as the AFCON 2023 even though it will take place the following year.
Salah, the captain of Egypt, is just as important to his nation as he is to Liverpool. The 31-year-old forward helped Egypt qualify for their first World Cup in 28 years in 2018 and has an incredible 51 goals in 91 appearances.
Salah, though, has yet to take home an international trophy, placing second in the AFCON in 2017 and 2021. In the latter competition, the Senegal of Sadio Mane lost the championship game on penalties after being named the two-time African player of the year.
At the start of 2024, Salah will have another opportunity to shine in Ivory Coast. Liverpool, who will be without their star forward for several weeks, will pay a price for it, though.
Despite ongoing rumours over his long-term future, the former Roma star has had an incredible start to the 2023–24 season, scoring five goals and providing four assists in his first eight Premier League matches.
The idea of having to play without his number 11 for an extended period of time won’t be welcomed by Jurgen Klopp, but how many games (and which ones) is Salah likely to miss for Liverpool?
HOW MANY GAMES FOR LIVERPOOL WILL SALAH MISS DUE TO AFCON?
Salah will undoubtedly miss at least one game for Liverpool when AFCON 2023 is taking place (13 January through 11 February), and he may miss as many as five, depending on the situation.
The Reds have a trip to Bournemouth set for January 13, the day the tournament begins in the Ivory Coast, just before the Premier League’s winter break.
Salah’s absence makes the ensuing two-week break particularly welcome, as Liverpool’s next match is against Chelsea at home on January 31.
Salah won’t be eligible to play against his former team until Egypt fails to advance past the group round.
The Reds then host Burnley on February 10 and play Arsenal away on February 3. Salah might be able to play against the latter at the very least if Egypt loses in the round of 16.
Depending on how they do in the previous round, Liverpool may have an FA Cup fourth-round match to play on January 27 in addition to the four Premier League games.
All fixtures could be altered.