Thankfully for Liverpool fans, Mo Salah will remain at Anfield next season after signing a new two-year deal in April—something that wasn’t a certainty earlier this year.
Salah had a standout season in 2024/25, finishing as the Premier League’s top scorer with 29 goals, playing a crucial role in helping Liverpool clinch the title. With the fixture list for the upcoming campaign now released, Arne Slot’s squad can begin preparations—though they must also plan for Salah’s temporary departure during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which starts earlier than usual this year, beginning just before Christmas and running until mid-January.
When is AFCON 2025?
Egypt will kick off their AFCON campaign against Zimbabwe on December 22. Their other group stage matches will be against South Africa on December 26 and Angola on December 29.
If Egypt progress beyond the group stage, their round-of-16 match will take place on January 3, 4, or 5. Quarter-finals follow on January 9 and 10, with semi-finals on January 14 and the final on January 18.
Ranked as the third-best team in the competition, Egypt are expected to go far—making Salah’s extended absence likely.
Mo Salah will represent Egypt at AFCON 2025
(Photo: Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images)
Which Liverpool Games Will Salah Miss?
Even though Egypt’s first game isn’t until December 22, the squad will likely gather at least a week earlier. This means Salah is certain to miss Liverpool’s final three league matches of 2025:
- Tottenham (Away)
- Wolves (Home)
- Leeds (Home)
His availability for January games will depend on Egypt’s progress in the tournament. Should they reach the quarter-finals, Salah would likely miss two away fixtures early in 2026:
- Fulham (Away)
- Arsenal (Away)
If Egypt reach the semi-finals and either the final or third-place match, Salah won’t be back in time for Liverpool’s January 17 home clash with Burnley. His first possible return game could be against Bournemouth the following weekend.
Summary of Matches He’ll Miss:
- Definitely out: Tottenham (A), Wolves (H), Leeds (H)
- Likely out: Fulham (A), Arsenal (A)
- Possibly out: Burnley (H)
While this isn’t the most difficult run of fixtures Liverpool could have faced without their star winger, his absence for the Arsenal match could prove significant. By that time, fans will be hoping Salah is on pace to replicate his incredible form from the previous season—and that the Reds still lead the Premier League
