Liverpool are bracing for a challenging festive period as star forward Mohamed Salah prepares to join Egypt for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The tournament, which kicks off on December 21, 2025, will see Salah depart for national team duty at least a week prior, ruling him out of several key fixtures during one of the most demanding stretches of Liverpool’s season.

Manager Arne Slot will have to navigate through a congested December and early January schedule without his talisman, who could miss up to five Premier League matches — and potentially more, depending on Egypt’s progress in the competition.

Matches Salah Will Miss

Dec 13, 2025 – Brighton (Home)

Dec 20, 2025 – Tottenham (Away)

Dec 27, 2025 – Wolves (Home)

Dec 30, 2025 – Leeds (Home)

Jan 3, 2026 – Fulham (Away)

Egypt’s Group Stage Fixtures (Group B)

Dec 22, 2025 – Egypt vs Zimbabwe

Dec 26, 2025 – Egypt vs South Africa

Dec 29, 2025 – Angola vs Egypt

Should Egypt advance to the knockout rounds, Salah’s absence could extend into mid-to-late January, potentially causing him to miss clashes against Arsenal (Jan 7) and Burnley (Jan 17), and even the AFC Bournemouth (Jan 24) encounter if Egypt reach the final.

Speaking ahead of the Community Shield, Arne Slot admitted the club had planned for Salah’s AFCON involvement. He highlighted Jeremie Frimpong and Federico Chiesa as possible replacements during that period.

> “We definitely thought about that (Salah being away at AFCON),” Slot said.
“Jeremie Frimpong can play at right-back or as a winger, and with Chiesa’s form, we have options. We’ll miss Mo for up to six games — that’s a lot, especially considering his impact last season.”

Liverpool will now rely on squad depth and tactical adaptability to maintain momentum in Salah’s absence — a period that could prove decisive in their Premier League title ambitions.