Liverpool is set to face the absence of Mohamed Salah for up to eight games due to his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Salah, who has been in lethal form, scoring 16 goals in all competitions during the 2023/24 season, will join the Egypt squad immediately after the New Year’s Day clash with Newcastle.

Salah’s impact on Liverpool’s performance is evident in the numbers. His 12 Premier League goals account for 30.8% of Liverpool’s total goals in the competition. Additionally, his seven assists contribute to a total of 19 goal contributions from 19 appearances, representing 48.7% of Liverpool’s 39 Premier League goals.

Furthermore, Salah leads in assists across Europe’s top five leagues for the calendar year 2023, highlighting his playmaking ability.

During Salah’s absence for AFCON, Liverpool will miss him for a minimum of four games, including important fixtures in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup:

Arsenal (Away) – FA Cup third round – January 7

Fulham (Home) – Carabao Cup semi-final – January 10

Bournemouth (Away) – Premier League – January 21

Fulham (Away) – Carabao Cup semi-final – January 24

If Egypt progresses in the tournament, Salah could potentially miss additional matches, including the clash against Chelsea on January 31, the trip to Arsenal on February 4, Burnley’s visit to Anfield on February 10, and a potential fourth-round FA Cup tie. Fans can expect Salah to return for the game against Brentford on February 17.

Salah’s absence poses a significant challenge for Liverpool, and the team will need to adjust to life without their talismanic winger during this crucial period. The question remains as to who will fill the vacant right-wing spot in his absence, with Salah being a key figure in the starting lineup. Liverpool fans hope the team maintains good form across all competitions during Salah’s absence.