Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah is set to return to Anfield at the end of the week following Egypt’s elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Reds star endured a frustrating semifinal defeat to Senegal, falling 1–0 to former teammate Sadio Mané, who netted the decisive goal with 12 minutes remaining. Salah struggled throughout the match, failing to complete a single dribble or register a shot during his 90 minutes on the pitch.
Return date confirmed
Egypt’s final AFCON outing will come in the third-place playoff against Nigeria, scheduled for Saturday, January 17. Salah’s return to Liverpool will follow immediately after that match.
Notably, the third-place game kicks off one hour after Liverpool face Burnley in the Premier League, meaning it will be the last league fixture Salah misses before resuming action with the Reds.
His focus will then shift to Liverpool’s Champions League clash against Marseille on Wednesday, where fitness considerations may initially see him start on the bench. Salah is expected to be fully fit and available for Liverpool’s Premier League trip to Bournemouth on January 24.
Questions over Liverpool future
Salah’s AFCON absence coincides with lingering questions over his future at Liverpool. Following a tense end to 2025, the winger publicly questioned manager Arne Slot’s decision to bench him, raising doubts about his long-term commitment.
While both parties reportedly resolved their differences before Salah departed for AFCON, any early substitute appearances or restricted minutes could reignite speculation.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Salah has no plans to leave Liverpool during the January transfer window and intends to remain at the club until the end of the season, when further discussions over his contract and future will take place.
Contracted until 2027, Salah remains one of Europe’s highest-paid players, with clubs in Saudi Arabia reportedly monitoring his situation closely.
Salah’s imminent return to Liverpool will be closely watched as he seeks to regain form and contribute to the Reds’ domestic and European campaigns.
