{"id":639702,"date":"2025-12-18T06:07:24","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T06:07:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/639702\/"},"modified":"2025-12-18T06:07:24","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T06:07:24","slug":"mo-salah-could-be-back-at-liverpool-sooner-than-expected-as-afcon-fears-raised","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/639702\/","title":{"rendered":"Mo Salah could be back at Liverpool sooner than expected as AFCON fears raised"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Mohamed Salah will hope to lead Egypt to success at the Africa Cup of Nations and is set to miss a number of Liverpool matches as a result, but one supercomputer reckons he will fall short<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_GettyImages-2235435949.jpg\" alt=\"Arne Slot and Mohamed Salah\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Liverpool will not have Mohamed Salah available until January(Image: Richard Martin-Roberts &#8211; CameraSport via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Fears of <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/mohamed-salah\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Mohamed Salah\u2019sLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Mohamed Salah\u2019s<\/a> Egypt failing at the upcoming <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/africa-cup-of-nations\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Africa Cup of NationsLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Africa Cup of Nations<\/a> have increased with a new supercomputer predicting a stunning early exit. Salah joined his countrymen ahead of Egypt&#8217;s opening clash against Zimbabwe next week, with the tournament running until the final on January 18.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">But a shocking new forecast from experts could mean he is back for the Reds when they face <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/arsenal-fc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Arsenal<\/a> on January 8. That is, if one supercomputer&#8217;s prediction is to be believed, with Egypt projected to crash out of the AFCON in a shock defeat to Comoros in the last-16.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">At one stage, it appeared that the Reds&#8217; superstar may not return to Merseyside from the tournament hosted in Morocco. The 33-year-old spoke out against the club and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/arne-slot\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Arne Slot<\/a> in a <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/transfer-news\/mo-salah-arne-slot-liverpool-36363237\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">surprising post-match interview after he failed to get off the bench against Leeds<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/andy-robertson-mohamed-salah-liverpool-36377371\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Salah missed out Liverpool&#8217;s next matchday squad<\/a> against Inter as a result but <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/mohamed-salah-liverpool-farewell-slot-36405192\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">quickly returned to the fold <\/a>and was substituted onto the field during the win over <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/brighton-and-hove-albion-fc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Brighton<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Liverpool&#8217;s third greatest goalscorer will miss a number of games over the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/christmas\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Christmas<\/a> period as the Merseyside club take on <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/tottenham-hotspur-fc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Tottenham<\/a> and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Wolves<\/a> to see out December. While that&#8217;s happening, Salah will be gearing up to face Zimbabwe, Angola and South Africa.<\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/jurgen-klopp-sir-alex-ferguson-36418493\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36418493\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jurgen Klopp makes Sir Alex Ferguson feelings clear as he names four best managers ever<\/a>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/ethan-mcleod-death-macclesfield-wolves-36417569\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36417569\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Premier League club with tragic connection confirm action after Ethan McLeod death<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The veteran&#8217;s trip to Morocco may not last much longer, however, according to <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/bookmakerscameroun.com\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">BookmakersCameroun.com&#8217;s<\/a> supercomputer. They foresee Egypt being upset by minnows Comoros in a 1-0 defeat.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Matches in that last 16 will take place between Saturday January 3 and Tuesday January 6 2026. <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/liverpool-fc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Liverpool<\/a> take on Arsenal in the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/premier-league\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Premier League<\/a> on January 8.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The trip to north London will more than likely come too soon for Salah to return in good time, but Slot would have a decision to make. Exiting in the first knockout stage could mean Salah returns in time for <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/fa-cup\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">FA Cup<\/a> action against Barnsley on January 12 instead.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/mo-salah-egypt-liverpool-afcon-36412884\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Salah was absent from his nation&#8217;s warm-up match against Nigeria.<\/a> The Pharaohs&#8217; captain was left out of the squad as Egypt prevailed 2-1, having only arrived in the early hours of Tuesday morning alongside <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/manchester-city-fc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Manchester City<\/a> ace Omar Marmoush.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1766038042_472_0_GettyImages-2246431054.jpg\" alt=\"Mohamed Salah\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Mohamed Salah will captaian Egypt(Image: Ahmed Awaad\/NurPhoto via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The supercomputer, meanwhile, anticipates the tournament hosts to go all the way. Morocco are predicted to defeat Senegal 1-0 in the final.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Senegal will claim their place as runners-up after knocking out defending champions Ivory Coast at the semi-final stage with a convincing 3-0 win. Morocco&#8217;s clash with Uganda was said to be tighter with a 1-0 win. Penalties are expected to separate Uganda and the Ivory Coast in the third-place game, with the Cranes earning the win.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/Feq1SEG6mXDIZGTTnek7oz\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Join our new WhatsApp communityLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"MirrorLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Mirror<\/a> <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"FootballLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Football<\/a> content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don&#8217;t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you&#8217;re curious, you can read our <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reachplc.com\/site-services\/privacy-policy\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Privacy Notice.Link opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n<p>This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/affiliates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756588163_342_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a349<\/p>\n<p>\u00a335<\/p>\n<p>Sky<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"AffiliateContent_content-buy-btn__xWiVO buy-btn\" aria-label=\"Buy button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=11005&amp;awinaffid=213635&amp;campaign=&amp;clickref=Regionals-FootballLondon&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sky.com%2Fdeals&amp;platform=pl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\">Get the deal here<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky has slashed the price of its <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=11005&amp;awinaffid=213635&amp;platform=dl&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sky.com%2Fdeals\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Essential TV and Sky Sports<\/a><\/strong> bundle ahead of the 2025\/26 season, saving members \u00a3336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Mohamed Salah will hope to lead Egypt to success at the Africa Cup of Nations and is set&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":639703,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8815],"tags":[15203,6167,748,393,4884,179,763,1128,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-639702","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-liverpool","8":"tag-africa-cup-of-nations","9":"tag-arsenal-fc","10":"tag-britain","11":"tag-england","12":"tag-great-britain","13":"tag-liverpool","14":"tag-liverpool-fc","15":"tag-mohamed-salah","16":"tag-uk","17":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115739076637950571","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/639702","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=639702"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/639702\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/639703"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=639702"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=639702"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=639702"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}