Mohamed Salah is reportedly set for crunch talks with Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan next week as both parties try to avoid another tense club-versus-country standoff ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Liverpool talisman, who has rediscovered his scoring touch in recent weeks, could be pulled away from Anfield for up to six weeks if Egypt reach the AFCON final in Morocco.
But both Salah and Liverpool are hoping for a compromise that keeps him available for key December fixtures before he joins his national team.
Egypt are due to begin their pre-tournament training camp on December 8, with a friendly against Nigeria lined up at Cairo Stadium.
That schedule directly clashes with Liverpool’s crucial matches against Inter Milan in the Champions League and Brighton in the Premier League.
According to reports, Salah wants to stay and play those competitive fixtures before joining his country’s camp — a stance Liverpool fully support.
Club vs Country: What will Mo Salah pick?
This isn’t the first time the issue has surfaced. Two years ago, Liverpool successfully negotiated with Egypt to delay Salah’s international duty so he could rest and recover.
The decision angered some Egyptian fans, who insisted it was their “right” to have their captain available.
Now, with the 33-year-old chasing Egypt boss Hossam Hassan’s own national scoring record and leading the Pharaohs’ bid for an eighth continental crown, both sides are once again at a crossroads.
Salah, who has 63 goals in 108 appearances for Egypt, remains crucial for his country — but Arne Slot’s Liverpool can hardly afford to lose him during their busiest run of the season.
If Egypt progress deep into the tournament, Salah could miss up to eight games across all competitions.
That includes league clashes with Tottenham, Wolves, Leeds, Fulham, Arsenal, and Burnley, along with a Champions League fixture at Marseille and the FA Cup third round in early January.
As per The Daily Mail, Salah hopes to stay and play those crucial fixtures in the month of December.
For Liverpool fans, it’s a familiar nightmare — losing their top scorer just when the fixture list piles up. But as always, Salah is caught between two passions: the red of Anfield and the red of Egypt.
Matches Mo Salah Could Miss Due to AFCON
| Competition | Fixture | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | Tottenham vs Liverpool | Dec 20, 2025 | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium |
| Premier League | Liverpool vs Wolves | Dec 27, 2025 | Anfield |
| Premier League | Liverpool vs Leeds | Jan 1, 2026 | Anfield |
| Premier League | Fulham vs Liverpool | Jan 4, 2026 | Craven Cottage |
| Premier League | Arsenal vs Liverpool | Jan 9, 2026 | Emirates Stadium |
| Premier League | Liverpool vs Burnley | Jan 17, 2026 | Anfield |
| Champions League | Marseille vs Liverpool | Jan 22, 2026 | Orange Vélodrome |
| FA Cup (Third Round) | TBD | Early January 2026 | TBD |
Salah’s situation is tricky — he’s reportedly keen to support Egypt’s title bid but also wants to maintain Liverpool’s title challenge. The Reds, on their part, are doing everything possible to keep their star for just a little longer before he dons the Pharaohs’ colors again.
As negotiations approach, fans will hope that both sides find a middle ground — because whether it’s Morocco or Merseyside, Salah remains the king they can’t afford to lose.