Mohamed Salah should be fresh for Liverpool heading into the festive period after it was reported that he will be left out of Egypt’s squad during the November international break
Mohamed Salah will reportedly not link up with the Egypt squad during the November international break.
It is claimed by Egyptian outlet Al-Shorouk that Egypt manager Hossam Hassan made the decision to rest Liverpool star Salah for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Cape Verde and Botswana.
The decision is said to have been taken because the game against Cape Verde will take place on an artificial pitch, which increases the risk of players picking up injuries.
Egypt’s match against Botswana will be contested on a grass pitch in Cairo, but it is said that it would have been unusual for Salah to have been called up just to take part in one match.
Egypt has already qualified for the final tournament, which will take place between December 2024 and January 2025, after winning all four of its qualifiers so far, with Salah registering two goals in three appearances across qualifying.
Salah was also excused from Egypt’s last match, against Mauritania in October, due to the game taking place on an artificial pitch as well as fears over the rough treatment he might have received from opposition players.
The news that Salah looks set to get a two-week rest will be welcomed by Arne Slot and Liverpool fans around the world, who will be keen for the 32-year-old to remain in tip-top condition ahead of a hectic period in the season.
Liverpool will play 11 matches between November 24 and the end of the calendar year, with games in the Premier League, the Champions League and the Carabao Cup coming thick and fast.
Salah is Liverpool’s joint top scorer with nine goals so far this season — a tally matched by Luis Diaz following his Champions League hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday — and has looked at his brilliant best under news Reds boss Slot.
While the news that Salah will be well rested when the club season resumes towards the end of November will be welcomed by Reds fans, what they really want to hear is a definitive update on Salah’s long-term future.
The former Chelsea forward is into the final eight months of his contract at Anfield and he has not publicly indicated whether he wants to stay or leave on a free transfer next summer.
Salah will be able to enter negotiations with foreign clubs from January 1 if he has not signed an extension with Liverpool by that point, and that also goes for Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who are also set to become free agents on July 1, 2025.
