‎Why Mohamed Salah Isn’t Heading Straight Back to Liverpool After Egypt’s AFCON Exit to Senegal

‎Liverpool supporters will have to wait a little longer before seeing Mohamed Salah back at Anfield, even after Egypt’s elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations by Senegal. The Pharaohs’ journey ended in Morocco on Wednesday night, with a narrow semi-final defeat sealed by Salah’s former Liverpool teammate, Sadio Mane.

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‎Mohamed Salah will not return immediately to Liverpool despite Egypt’s AFCON semi-final defeat to Senegal. Here’s why his Anfield comeback is delayed and when he’s expected back.

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‎The encounter in Tangiers was a tense and cautious affair, ultimately decided late on. With just 12 minutes remaining, Mane struck a precise low effort from the edge of the penalty area to give Senegal the advantage they had been pushing for. That decisive moment booked Senegal’s place in the final, where they will take on hosts Morocco in Rabat on Sunday.

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‎Salah, who had been instrumental for Egypt with four goals on their route to the semi-finals, found himself well-contained by Senegal’s defence. The loss once again denied him a first Africa Cup of Nations title, bringing an abrupt end to his latest continental campaign and paving the way for his return to club football.

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‎However, the Liverpool forward will not be heading back to Merseyside immediately. Egypt are still scheduled to play a third-place playoff against Nigeria on Saturday afternoon, a fixture widely regarded as unwanted but nonetheless part of the tournament structure. While there is a chance that a high-profile player like Salah could be released early, the expectation is that he will remain with the national squad until that match is concluded.

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‎As a result, Salah is set to miss Liverpool’s Premier League meeting with Burnley on Saturday. There is also doubt surrounding his availability for the Champions League trip to Marseille on Wednesday, January 21, with travel demands and recovery time likely working against a quick turnaround. His most probable return date is now the Reds’ away fixture against Bournemouth in the late kick-off on Saturday, January 24. Liverpool, according to liverpool.com, are mindful of his ongoing international commitments and have no intention of rushing him back.

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‎Salah’s eventual return to England could also reignite discussions around his long-term future at the club. Prior to departing for AFCON in December, the 33-year-old made headlines by criticising head coach Arne Slot, claiming he had been “thrown under the bus” after being dropped during a difficult spell for the team. He was then omitted from the squad for the Champions League clash with Inter in Italy, before making a final appearance against Brighton ahead of his departure for the tournament.

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‎With the January transfer window now open, attention will inevitably turn to whether Liverpool receive any offers for the Egyptian star. Interest from the cash-rich Saudi Pro League has been made clear, adding another layer of intrigue to Salah’s situation as he prepares for his eventual return to club action.