Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is expected to hold discussions with Egypt manager Hossam Hassan next week as both parties attempt to avoid another club-versus-country flashpoint ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Egypt intend to call their captain into camp for a friendly against Nigeria on December 14, part of a preparation period that also includes games against the UAE (December 6) and Jordan (December 9).
The issue for Liverpool is that this window overlaps with three significant fixtures Inter Milan in the Champions League, followed by Leeds United and Brighton in the Premier League.
According to the Daily Mail, Salah would prefer to remain on Merseyside for those matches rather than travel early for a non-competitive fixture. Liverpool share that stance and are hopeful that an agreement can be reached which allows him to leave after the Brighton game on December 13.
Arne Slot already knows Salah will be absent for several weeks during AFCON, which begins on December 21 and could keep the forward away until January 18 if Egypt reach the final.
In the worst-case scenario, Liverpool may be without him for up to eight matches, including league meetings with Tottenham, Wolves, Leeds, Fulham, Arsenal and Burnley, as well as an FA Cup tie and a Champions League trip to Marseille.
Slot is expected to rely primarily on Federico Chiesa during that spell, with Florian Wirtz another option and Jeremie Frimpong still working his way back from injury. The reshuffling has already begun: Wirtz operated from the left ahead of Cody Gakpo in the midweek win over Real Madrid.
Yet despite experimenting, Slot remains reluctant to be without Salah any earlier than necessary. The 31-year-old has not consistently reached his usual standards this season, but Liverpool’s staff still value his presence, experience and influence on a squad that has undergone significant change since the summer.
Two years ago, Liverpool wrote to the Egyptian FA requesting Salah be excused from an international camp due to long-term fitness concerns a situation neither side wishes to repeat. This time, talks are described as “crunch discussions”, with both Liverpool and Salah keen to avoid unnecessary friction.
Egypt have the right, under FIFA rules, to call him up for the camp. But with Liverpool entering a period that will shape their Champions League and league campaigns, they are hopeful Hassan will grant some flexibility.
Salah has contributed five goals and three assists in 15 appearances this season, scoring in his last two Premier League matches. His performances have at times pointed to a player searching for rhythm, but the underlying numbers remain strong, and the expectation within the club is that his form will sharpen as familiarity grows with new teammates.
With Alexander Isak, Wirtz and Chiesa all integrating into a revamped attack, Liverpool anticipate improvement as relationships develop. But Slot views Salah as central to that process, not a passenger in it.
The hope now is that next week’s talks provide clarity and avoid a conflict that neither Liverpool nor Egypt wants repeated.
