Mohamed Salah faces missing up to eight Liverpool fixtures if Egypt do well at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

When the champions met Manchester City for the first time in 2024-25, they emerged as 2-0 victors against them at Anfield, cementing their status as Premier League favourites. This time around, Liverpool will face Pep Guardiola 's side at the Etihad on November 8, and a triumph for either team may prove decisive in the title race next season.

But it’s the potential absence of talisman Salah at the Emirates Stadium on January 7 that will worry the Liverpool faithful, given the fixture comes in between AFCON’s round-of-16 and quarter-final stage. Unless Egypt suffer a group stage exit, it’s unlikely Salah will be part of the squad for the trip to Arsenal.