Mohamed Salah Set to Miss Crucial Liverpool Fixtures Due to AFCON 2025 🇪🇬⚽

Liverpool could face a major setback in their Premier League title defense next season, as star forward Mohamed Salah is likely to miss several key matches due to international duty with Egypt at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

📆 The Premier League has officially released its fixture list for the 2025–26 season, with reigning champions Liverpool scheduled to kick off their campaign at Anfield against Bournemouth on August 15.

However, the real concern for manager Arne Slot and Liverpool fans arises during the most demanding period of the season — the festive run — when AFCON 2025 takes place in Morocco from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026.

🗓️ Should Egypt reach the final, Salah could be unavailable for up to six Premier League matches, including:

• 🆚 Tottenham (A) – Dec 20

• 🆚 Wolves (H) – Dec 27

• 🆚 Leeds United (H) – Dec 30

• 🆚 Fulham (A) – Jan 3

• 🆚 Arsenal (A) – Jan 7

• 🆚 Burnley (H) – Jan 17

He may also miss additional Carabao Cup or FA Cup fixtures depending on Liverpool’s progress in those competitions.

If Egypt exits the tournament early or is knocked out during the group stage, Salah could return sooner. But should they make it to the final, Salah’s first possible game back could be against Bournemouth on January 24, 2026.

🎙️Although Salah has not officially commented on his potential absence, club insiders say Arne Slot is already preparing contingency plans to cope with the star’s departure during such a critical stretch.

Salah, who will turn 33 during the tournament, remains one of the most influential figures in Liverpool’s attack. His absence could significantly impact Liverpool’s momentum in the title race, especially with tough fixtures on the horizon.

Liverpool are not the only Premier League side expected to lose key players to AFCON. Other potential absentees include:

• Rayan Aït-Nouri (Manchester City – Algeria)

• André Onana (Manchester United – Cameroon)

• Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea – Senegal)

• Yoane Wissa (Brentford – DR Congo)

As the tournament approaches, Liverpool will need to balance squad depth and tactical flexibility, with the hope that Salah’s national duties do not derail their ambitions for a historic back-to-back title triumph.