Mohamed Salah has long been the heartbeat of Liverpool — the dazzling burst of speed down the right flank, the eruption of noise from Anfield whenever he finds the net, and the calm, clinical finishing that defines his brilliance.
Yet today, the club and its fans are preparing for a reality they’ve long dreaded: life without their talisman. Salah, Liverpool’s most consistent and influential figure, is on the verge of stepping away, and the red half of Merseyside suddenly faces a future clouded with uncertainty.
The Egyptian superstar is expected to hold decisive talks next week with Egypt’s national team manager, Hossam Hassan.
This meeting will determine how long Salah will be unavailable for Liverpool this season, as his commitment to the Egypt national team takes center stage ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). With the tournament drawing closer, Salah’s national duty could see him miss at least eight crucial matches for Liverpool — including key Premier League and Champions League fixtures.
At 33, Salah is once again caught in the tug-of-war between club and country, a dilemma that many top African players know all too well. Egypt will soon open their AFCON training camp, with friendly matches against the United Arab Emirates on December 6, Jordan on December 9, and Nigeria on December 14.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are preparing for a hectic December schedule that includes games against Leeds United and Brighton in the league, along with a vital Champions League clash versus Inter Milan.
Both Liverpool and Egypt believe they have rightful claims to their star. For Liverpool, Salah remains indispensable — their leader, scorer, and emotional core. For Egypt, he’s not just a player but a national icon, a symbol of pride and hope. Salah, however, finds himself in the middle, striving to serve both loyalties without sparking conflict.
This isn’t the first time such tensions have surfaced. Two years ago, Liverpool managed to keep Salah from joining up with Egypt during an international break, citing fatigue and long-term injury risks.
That decision infuriated many in Egypt, with fans and pundits labeling the club’s move as “disrespectful.” Now, with AFCON scheduled to take place in Morocco from December 21 to January 18, there will be no compromise. Salah is going — the only question is when.
If Egypt insists on his full participation in their training camp and warm-up fixtures, Liverpool could lose their star forward as early as mid-December, before their clash with Brighton. That absence could seriously disrupt their Premier League title push and Champions League campaign.
Emotionally, this chapter carries even greater weight for Salah. Sources close to him say he wants his Liverpool journey to end on a high — with trophies, respect, and gratitude from both sides. He doesn’t want to leave under controversy or strain.
Above all, Salah wishes to honor both his club and his country, even as he realizes that keeping everyone satisfied may be an impossible task.
This isn’t about disinterest or divided loyalty. It’s about a player who has given everything, now caught in a situation where every choice comes with a cost — for himself, for Liverpool, and for the millions who adore him.
