Once again, Mohamed Salah’s dreams of leading Egypt to an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph ended in frustration.
Egypt were defeated in a tense semi-final against Senegal, with Salah’s former Liverpool teammate Sadio Mané scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 win. The wait for international silverware goes on for Salah, who scored four goals in five games for Egypt at this year’s edition.
“We’re all close, we love each other, we hang out together, the humor is unbelievable, and we work hard both on and off the pitch,” Salah said earlier this month.
With Egypt now eliminated, Liverpool fans will be hoping to get their No. 11 back in time for this weekend’s Premier League game against Burnley. However FIFA’s scheduling rules make that impossible.
Why isn’t Mohamed Salah playing for Liverpool?
Although no longer in the running for the trophy, Egypt still have one AFCON game remaining. Egypt will take on Nigeria on Saturday in the third-place playoff in Casablanca.
FIFA rules dictate that players may not leave their national team until the day after their team’s final match at a tournament. Salah and Egypt still have one more game in Morocco before returning to their club sides.
Looking ahead, Liverpool boss Arne Slot will not have too long to wait to get Salah back on the field. Liverpool travel to Marseille for a midweek Champions League game on Wednesday 21, before a visit to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday 24.
Liverpool have been short of attacking options in recent weeks but Salah had been out of favor at Anfield before leaving for AFCON. He has not started for Liverpool since a 4-1 loss to PSV on November 26 and accused the club of “throwing him under the bus” after being benched for three consecutive games.
Slot will now be tasked with assimilating Salah, one of the club’s greatest-ever players, back into the team.
Zahabciou
0
AceTheCreator
0
@Lipdekrz had a lot to say, apparently... 😁
kapiknpst
0
Lol they will win it’s back to back.
l don't think so
kapiknpst
0
No need,let him rest.He is finished
inter milan have the most players need to rest not salah your team have the most old players that why inter milan can't win champion league 😅😅😅😇🤣
Lekakmnsu
1
Minbcdor
1
please 🥺,he must play 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Hafiy1992
0
yes
Lipdekrz
1
third place in a tournament like the Africa Cup of Nations is a big boost in FiFa ranking
Lipdekrz
0
For now we don't want them to go back Europe because we spend our money to watch them live and physically
Lipdekrz
0
we are still enjoying Salah,V09,Lookman and others super stars in our Africa tournament for now
Lipdekrz
0
you people in the media please leave Salah alone he here in Africa to enjoy our best tournament in Africa
Lipdekrz
0
they started with defensive ideas as it to say they never wanted to win but it was late for them because senegal team is in order and mature
fodaelnoty
0
No need,let him rest.He is finished
truthisbitter
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Senegal will win again!
Coyblopt
0
He needs rest. He just came back from the AFCON. Cut him some slack
Hiebcnosu
1
Always thank God Nigeria was beaten 😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 cry more, cry me bucket 🪣🪣
Hiebcnosu
1
Me as a Ghanaian still enjoying the lost of Nigeria 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂cry more nija , Ninja's 😂😂😂😂😂😂😆😆😆😂😂
LM1ONEY
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who cares?
LiverpoolSuper
1
let me correct you bro😅, Egypt's failure in AFCON is not because of players, it was coaches faults, after the game I saw them arguing as to why they only started dangerous attacks against Senegal in the final 12 minutes instead from the beginning, they were too boringly defensive until Mane's opener, ever since Afcon started, I was not optimistic about Egypt performance because they were too defensive while they can play very well offensive football to the extreme, Senegal didn't almost have anything to respond to their attacks especially in the final 5 minutes, it was their coaches game plan that failed, not players, and definitely not Salah. Even at Liverpool, imagine if Salah was played in the middle at times, or played behind the striker, how would the team be, but decisions are made by Slott😅🙌
lowcdenost
3
Salah haven't finished with afcon they will fight for third position against Nigeria
fipacdmty
1
Salah is finished he must stay in Egypt and join Arl Arly
AFeroiRt3214
1
If you want Wirtz to perform, don’t let Salah play and vice versa
Himbcmp
0
No
rauilmouz
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they will be thrashed by Morocco InshaAllah
Lol they will win it’s back to back.
notacdlpyz
1
salah plays Liverpool loose
Cocbemnsyz
1
Egypt finds difficult times always when they meet Senegal last time they lost on post penalties meaning sadio mane's side is better than Sala congratulations to them though I see a tough final ahead of them
jembckmnuy
0
so mane did that thing to sala again
they will be thrashed by Morocco InshaAllah
rjoel
0
so mane did that thing to sala again
Tobbclnpry
2
no, he had to play for third placing
limengoeng
0
He needs some time to rest