Mohamed Salah is expected to miss up to six key matches for Liverpool in the early part of the 2025/26 Premier League season due to his international commitments with Egypt. Salah will likely be representing his country at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which runs from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. This could impact Liverpool’s lineup in some big fixtures, including a highly anticipated clash against Arsenal.
The AFCON tournament, held every two years, usually creates a big challenge for European clubs, especially the Premier League, where many top African players play. Salah, being Egypt’s captain and one of their most important players, is almost guaranteed to be part of the squad unless an injury or another unexpected situation arises.
Liverpool could be without their star forward for about six games during this period. Based on the Premier League fixture pattern and the expected match calendar, the games Salah may miss include a tough away match against Arsenal, along with other league fixtures and possibly early rounds of the FA Cup or domestic cup ties. Since the full Premier League 2025/26 fixture list hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, the exact matches remain speculative, but the timing of the tournament makes his absence a near certainty during the festive season and early January.
Salah has been a vital part of Liverpool’s attack for several seasons now. Even at 33 years old during the 2025/26 season, he continues to be one of the top contributors in goals and assists. His experience, consistency, and leadership make his absence a major blow to the Reds, especially in crucial games that could affect title or top-four hopes.
The challenge for Liverpool will not just be replacing Salah’s goals but also his presence on the field. Over the years, he has formed strong partnerships with other attackers, and his ability to break down defences has been a game-changer in many tight matches. Without him, the team will need to rely on other forwards like Darwin Núñez, Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo, or any new signings they might bring in during the summer window.
Manager Arne Slot, who has taken over the role after Jürgen Klopp, will have a tactical decision to make. He might need to tweak formations or give more chances to younger players in Salah’s absence. The club might even consider signing a temporary replacement or someone who can play in Salah’s position during the AFCON period.
This situation also brings back the wider issue of how international tournaments like AFCON impact Premier League clubs. While most leagues across Europe take winter breaks or adjust schedules, the Premier League carries on through December and January. That puts English clubs with African players at a disadvantage during this time.
Egypt are one of the favourites to go deep into the AFCON tournament, which means Salah could be away for the entire month and possibly a bit more, including travel and recovery time. If Egypt reaches the semi-finals or final, Salah would not be available until after mid-January.
This is not the first time Liverpool have had to deal with Salah missing games due to AFCON. A similar situation occurred in previous years, but now, with a new manager and a new system being implemented, his absence could affect team chemistry during a crucial stage of the season.
The club’s medical staff and training team will also be monitoring his workload during the tournament. Any injuries during AFCON could extend his absence even further, which would be a nightmare scenario for the club. However, if he returns fit and Egypt have a strong run, it might give Salah an extra boost of confidence for the remainder of the season.
In the end, Liverpool fans will be hoping that the rest of the squad can step up in Salah’s absence. The January transfer window could also be important if the team needs reinforcement in attack. The coming months will reveal how well the club can plan for this period and whether Salah’s absence will cost them important points.
