Mohamed Salah set for ‘crunch talks’ over Liverpool dilemma | OneFootball

Salah and Egypt in Delicate Negotiation

The Egyptian national team will hold a training camp starting on 8 December, including a friendly against Nigeria at Cairo Stadium. Hassan has the right to call up his captain for that fixture, though Salah is believed to prefer remaining with Liverpool to play competitive matches during that period, according to Lewis Steele.

Talks between the player and his national coach are scheduled for next week, with Egypt also set to face Algeria and Uzbekistan in friendlies. The meetings are aimed at finding common ground on Salah’s release date for AFCON, which begins in Morocco on 21 December.

This is not the first time such negotiations have taken place. Two years ago, Liverpool requested that Salah be excused from an international camp to protect his long-term fitness. The decision angered many in Cairo, though Egypt eventually granted the club’s request.

Photo: IMAGO

Injury History Influences Club Stance

Salah, who has scored 63 goals in 108 appearances for Egypt—just six shy of Hassan’s national record—was injured during the last AFCON in the Ivory Coast. He returned to England early, and the setback hampered both his own form and Liverpool’s title challenge during the spring.

Given that history, Liverpool are keen to ensure the 33-year-old is managed carefully. Club officials are optimistic that a compromise can be reached that allows Salah to feature for Egypt while also minimising disruption to his domestic season.

If Salah joins the national team after Liverpool’s fixture against Brighton, he could miss up to eight matches should Egypt reach the AFCON final. Those potential absences include league fixtures against Tottenham, Wolves, Leeds, Fulham, Arsenal and Burnley, along with a Champions League trip to Marseille and an FA Cup third-round tie.

AFCON Ambitions Add Complexity

Egypt, the most successful nation in AFCON history with seven titles, are among the leading favourites once again. Morocco and Algeria are currently tipped to be their strongest rivals. Hassan’s side will rely heavily on Salah’s experience and influence, with the forward’s leadership pivotal to Egypt’s chances of reaching the latter stages.

For Liverpool, the timing of the tournament presents a familiar challenge. Manager Arne Slot will need to balance domestic and European commitments without one of his most important players. The club’s sports science staff are already planning to manage Salah’s workload in the build-up to his international duty.

Contract Considerations and Future Planning

Liverpool’s hierarchy also face a separate but related issue: Salah’s long-term future. With Spanish giants monitoring his situation and discussions over a possible new contract under consideration, ensuring a positive outcome from this latest Egypt episode is vital. The club want their star forward focused and physically fit as negotiations continue.

There is confidence at Anfield that all parties will handle the situation respectfully. Relations between Liverpool and the Egyptian FA, though occasionally strained, remain professional and cooperative. Both sides recognise Salah’s dual importance as a national icon and a key figure in one of Europe’s top clubs.

Managing Expectations Ahead of a Pivotal Winter

The coming weeks will be crucial. Liverpool supporters will watch developments closely, aware that AFCON could once again test the depth and resilience of Slot’s squad. For Salah, it is a familiar balancing act between patriotic duty and professional responsibility.

What happens next could shape both Liverpool’s title ambitions and Egypt’s tournament hopes — and, perhaps, influence Salah’s long-term decision about where his footballing priorities lie.