MO SALAH is preparing for Liverpool’s top of the table showdown with Arsenal – but could miss two more clashes against the Gunners.
The Reds forward, 31, will be desperate to fire Jurgen Klopp’s men above the Gunners and into first place when they meet at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday.
However, Liverpool’s 15-goal top scorer will soon switch his attention to representing Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations.
The prospect of losing their top marksman for around four weeks every two years for the tournament is a problem Klopp has become accustomed to since signing Salah from Roma in 2017.
But that scenario does still not get any easier and once more the Kop boss will have to adapt his tactics next month for his absence.
AFCON starts on January 13 in Ivory Coast with the final due to take place on February 11.
Salah and his side, who will be hoping to avenge their heartbreaking defeat to Senegal in the last tournament, have been drawn in Group B alongside Ghana, Cape Verde and Mozambique.
He is not the only top-flight ace to be heading out for international duty, and that has led the Premier League to introduce a fortnight break in fixtures – although games will still be played each weekend in that period.
But even though some players will get a rest, Salah could potentially miss SEVEN games.
After helping Liverpool reach the Carabao Cup semi-final by beating West Ham 5-1, they now face Fulham in a two-legged tie which will take place on January 10 and 24.
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
The Reds also have an FA Cup third round tie with Arsenal on January 7.
Liverpool return to Prem action away to Bournemouth on January 21, and they have a further three top-flight games until the weekend of the AFCON final.
And they include bumper clashes with both Chelsea and Arsenal again.
It remains uncertain the exact number of matches that Salah will miss, especially since it has yet to be confirmed when he will link up with the Egypt squad.
And it also depends on how well Egypt do – but should they go on and reach the final again then the marksman won’t be back in action domestically until they face Brentford in the Premier League on February 17.
These are the Liverpool games the star could miss due to AFCON:
Arsenal A – Jan 7 (FA CUP)
Fulham H – Jan 10 (EFL Cup)
Bournemouth A – Jan 21 (PL)
Fulham A – Jan 24 (EFL Cup)
Chelsea H – Jan 31 (PL)
Arsenal A – Feb 4 (PL)
Burnley H – Feb 10 (PL)
