Liverpool Boss Reveals When Reds Will Lose Talisman Mohamed Salah to AFCON 2025

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that Mohamed Salah will be available for at least four more matches before he departs for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Liverpool are among Premier League clubs set to lose key players to the month-long tournament set to take place between December 21 and January 18 but have received a reprieve after FIFA extended the player release date up to December 15.

"It's December 15," Slot said, when asked about the Egyptian forward’s release date for AFCON as per Dailymail. "But in these situations, the player and the national team are involved, and there are always talks about what is best for all three of us."

This departure date means Salah will be available for Liverpool's next four matches against Sunderland, Leeds, Inter Milan, and Brighton, with the final game before he leaves taking place on December 13.

Meanwhile, Slot has admitted Salah was not happy at being dropped to the bench for Liverpool’s 2-0 win over West Ham on Sunday when Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo scored for the Reds.

Salah was named among the substitutes as Slot looked to halt a worrying slump that had seen the Premier League champions lose nine of their last 12 games.

He remained an unused substitute as Isak's first Premier League goal for the club and a late strike from Gakpo sealed a much-needed win, easing the mounting pressure on Slot.

Following the match, the Liverpool boss admitted Salah was disappointed but lauded his reaction, describing him as a "top professional" and reaffirming his importance to the team.

"It was a normal reaction for a player who is good enough to play for us," Slot stated. "I say that mildly as he's been so outstanding for this club and will be in the future. He wasn't happy he wasn't starting, but he wasn't the only one."

"The way he behaved was as you'd expect from such a professional; he supported his teammates and handled himself really well," the manager added. "He'll always be that top professional."

Salah could be in line for a recall to the starting eleven for Liverpool's upcoming Premier League fixture against Sunderland on Wednesday night.