Mohamed Salah confirms when he will leave Liverpool after Egypt talks over early AFCON release | OneFootball

Salah is set to miss Egypt’s pre-tournament friendly against Nigeria

Mohamed Salah remains on course to leave Liverpool for the Africa Cup of Nations after this weekend’s Premier League match against Brighton.

Egypt have booked a pre-tournament friendly against Nigeria for December 14, the day after Liverpool welcome the Seagulls to Anfield, and they had hoped to have Salah available for selection.

However, Arne Slot revealed last week that Liverpool had made the decision in conjunction with the Egyptian FA to release the 33-year-old on December 15.

“That's nothing new. But FIFA have said December 15 is the last day a player has to be released.”

Salah’s future has since been plunged into serious doubt following his outburst after the 3-3 draw with Leeds at the weekend where he suggested he could leave in the January transfer window - just months after signing a new contract.

Though, any chance of a potential u-turn that would see Salah link up with Egypt earlier than expected has been dashed with the forward himself confirming he will be present for Liverpool’s game against Brighton.

“At Anfield I will say ‘goodbye’ to the supporters, because I am going to [AFCON],” he told reporters.

“I don't know what will happen when I am there.”

Mohamed Salah is expected to miss Liverpool vs Brighton

AFP via Getty Images

Whether Salah features remains to be seen. BBC Sport have reported he is likely to miss the Brighton game after being left out of the squad to face Inter Milan in the Champions League.

When quizzed as to whether Salah will be involved at the weekend, Slot said: “We are sitting here on an evening before a big game, a big fixture for us, Inter Milan.

“There was only now maybe 36 hours between the moment we have conceded the 3-3 against Leeds and the moment I'm sitting here.

“I think you can understand as well that I've tried to prepare my team in the best possible way for the game tomorrow evening.

“The most thoughts that I had are about tomorrow and, in the meantime, we've decided what I've just said - not to take him with us to this game.

“After tomorrow we will look at the situation again.”