Liverpool could still lose Mohamed Salah earlier than expected ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations next month, with Egypt chief Ibrahim Hassan confirming talks with the club.

Salah will join the Egypt squad for a mid-season Africa Cup of Nations, with the No. 11 already slated to miss at least three games for his club.

But Hassan, director of the Egyptian national team, has told winwin that talks are underway with both Liverpool and Man City over the early release of Salah and Omar Marmoush.

That comes with Egypt organising a warmup friendly with Nigeria on December 14, as part of a training camp ahead of the tournament which begins on December 21.

It had been expected that Salah and Marmoush would only depart for AFCON following their clashes with Brighton (Dec 13) and Crystal Palace (Dec 14) respectively.

But if they were to join Egypt for that friendly in Cairo, it would mean missing an additional game for their clubs.

AFCON: Liverpool could lose Salah for up to 8 games

Liverpool already know Salah will be unavailable for the Premier League meetings with Tottenham (Dec 20), Wolves (Dec 27) and Leeds (Jan 1), but face uncertainty over how long he will be required on duty.

The 2025 AFCON, which takes place in Morocco, runs from December 21 to January 18, meaning if Egypt were to reach the final or third-placed playoff, Salah could also miss another four games.

Salah’s AFCON schedule

• December 13: Liverpool vs. Brighton

• December 14: Egypt vs. Nigeria (friendly)

• December 22: Egypt vs. Zimbabwe

• December 26: Egypt vs. South Africa

• December 29: Angola vs. Egypt

• January 3/4/5: Round of 16

• January 9/10: Quarter-finals

• January 14: Semi-finals

• January 17: Third-placed playoff

• January 18: Final

• January 21: Marseille vs. Liverpool

Those would be against Fulham (Jan 4), Arsenal (Jan 8) and Burnley (Jan 17), as well as Liverpool’s FA Cup third-round tie (Jan 11).

Egypt manager Hossam Hassan is clearly eager for his key players to be involved as early as possible and rules stipulate that call-ups are permitted from December 7 – though that is extremely unlikely.

Club vs. country row brewing

But the desire to include Salah in that meeting with Nigeria a week before the tournament signals an emerging club vs. country battle.

The Egyptian FA have, however, already confirmed that Liverpool’s third-highest goalscorer of all time will be rested for Monday’s friendly against Cape Verde.

Salah will watch in the stands as a third-placed decider for the Al Ain International Cup takes place in Dubai at 4pm UK time. (Thisisanfield)