Liverpool could lose Mo Salah for two huge games due to AFCON as Premier League fixtures announced

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah could miss several key Premier League fixtures for his club whilst he plays in the Africa Cup of Nations next year.

The 2024 edition of the tournament will be hosted by Ivory Coast between January 13 and February 11 next year.

A total of 24 teams will feature in the competition. Eight of those teams are already qualified, including Salah's Egypt, who won their qualifying group to ensure progress to AFCON 2024.

The Pharaohs are seven-time winners of the competition, but have not lifted the trophy since 2010. They reached the final in 2022, losing to Senegal in a dramatic penalty shootout.

Salah and Egypt will hope to go one better next time around, but the Liverpool star will miss Premier League fixtures due to his participation.

And the exact identity of all the matches he could miss have been revealed after the Premier League's full fixture release on Thursday morning.

Salah set to miss Premier League fixtures

Due to the league's mid-season break, which takes place in January, Salah's absence will not be as keenly felt by Liverpool as it would perhaps have been in previous seasons.

But, as per the current fixture list, he is still set to miss at least four matches.

The first of those will be the home fixture against Bournemouth on January 13 - the day that AFCON begins. Athough this match could be moved to the following weekend, as Liverpool's website states, Salah will miss it regardless.

He will also not be available for Liverpool's crunch clash at home to Chelsea on January 31.

Whether Salah is unavailable for any more fixtures depends on Egypt's progression through AFCON, with the final confirmed to take place on February 11.

If Egypt do reach the final, the 31-year-old will miss further club fixtures against Arsenal (away) and Burnley (home).

There is also the possibility, furthermore, that Salah may not be ready in time to take on Brentford in an away clash on February 17.

Therefore, the winger could miss up to five Premier League matches - meaning Jurgen Klopp's side will need to find a player to fill the void left by Salah during that time.

Topics: Liverpool, Mohamed Salah, Premier League, Africa Cup Of Nations, Jurgen Klopp, Egypt

Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.