AFCON DEADLINE SET: MO SALAH JOINS EGYPT DECEMBER 15TH
Salah's dip in form prompts criticism from Jamie Carragher, who claims his "legs are gone." Slot defends benching the star, citing fixture congestion and AFCON release date.
Arne Slot has revealed that Mohamed Salah will join the Egypt squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on a specific date. Slot also mentioned that the Liverpool star wasn't pleased about being benched in the recent game against West Ham. According to Slot, the club, Salah, and the Egyptian FA all agreed on when he would leave, settling rumours that he might leave earlier for a friendly against Nigeria on December 14.
Mo Salah's AFCON Departure Set for Mid-December
Slot clarified that Salah wouldn't leave early. He'll play for Liverpool in their Premier League game against Brighton and then join the Egypt squad on December 15 for AFCON. The manager said this decision came after discussions between the player, the club, and the Egyptian FA. He also mentioned that FIFA regulations state December 15 as the latest possible release date.
Slot said that the plan was made with all parties, that is, the player, club, and country. He said this is a normal way of doing things. He also mentioned that FIFA requires players to be released by December 15.
Mo Salah's Performance Dip Raises Questions
People are looking at Salah's performances because his form has dropped. The 33-year-old hasn't scored as many goals lately, with only four goals and two assists in 12 Premier League games this season. Numbers show he's taking fewer shots, doing less in the penalty box, and not dribbling as well as before.
Some say that Trent Alexander-Arnold's move to Real Madrid is a reason for this. With Alexander-Arnold gone, Salah lost a key teammate on the right side. Also, Slot's tactics have changed how the ball gets to Salah, and he hasn't adjusted easily. He was on the bench against West Ham, and Slot said it was because of the busy schedule.
Before the West Ham game, Slot told Sky Sports that they played four games in 10 days. That's why he chose a different lineup. He has many talented players. He also said that he has more than 11 good players and chose not to play Salah.
When asked if Salah was upset about being benched, Slot was honest in a press conference.
He said that it's normal for a player to be unhappy when they're not playing. He added that Salah wasn't the only one feeling that way. Salah acted professionally and supported his teammates. Slot also said that Salah is disciplined and a top professional.
Carragher's Comments After PSV Loss Add Pressure
Salah didn't play well against PSV in the Champions League the previous week. Jamie Carragher was frustrated and said that some performances were becoming a problem for the team.
Carragher told CBS Sports that he was angry and honest with the players. He also said that he knew the game was over long before the final whistle and that Liverpool was becoming a good team in 2018, beginning with Jurgen Klopp, with Slot joining later.
Carragher added that the key players for Liverpool were Alisson, van Dijk, and Salah. He noted that Alisson is often injured, van Djik isn't playing as well, and Salah looks like his legs are gone. He doesn't like criticising them. Carragher added that he is looking for the leaders to step up when things are not going well.
How Many Liverpool Games Could Salah Miss During AFCON?
Liverpool is at a difficult point in the season. They need to play consistently. Games against Sunderland and Leeds United are chances to get back on track before a big Champions League game against Inter. However, Salah's departure for AFCON is a concern. Egypt's AFCON could make him miss up to eight Liverpool games, including matches during the holiday season and into mid-January. The tournament ends on January 18.
ALISSON "OPEN" TO LIVERPOOL EXIT AS JUVENTUS PREPARE MASSIVE SWAP DEAL OFFER
With Alisson Becker open to a Juventus move, Liverpool is scouring the market for a replacement ahead of a major summer rebuild.
Liverpool isn’t just sitting around; it’s actively searching for someone to take Alisson Becker’s spot since Juventus looks serious about making a bid for their veteran keeper. Even though Alisson’s got a year left on his deal after the club triggered an extension back in March, he might leave this summer.
He’s been Liverpool’s go-to guy in goal since he arrived from Roma in 2018; he’s played 332 games, cost £67 million, and for years, he was untouchable. But injuries have piled up during the 2025/26 season, and it’s starting to look like his time at Anfield could be coming to an end.
Juventus are now right in the mix. Apparently, Alisson isn’t against the idea of leaving Liverpool, and Juventus could even throw their own goalkeeper, Michele Di Gregorio, into the deal for the Brazilian.
Juve are ready to offer Alisson a contract running through the summer of 2028, with an extra year as an option. Sky Sports says Liverpool already knows what’s happening and is getting their ducks in a row before a massive transfer window.
The club’s facing a big summer. Salah and Robertson are going, and now they might need a new keeper too. Giorgi Mamardashvili has stepped up when Alisson was out, playing 18 games across all competitions, but he’s injured himself, leaving Slot with just Freddie Woodman as his only fit option.
Recently, Slot was asked if losing Alisson at the same time as Robertson and Salah would be too much. He said, “The club makes decisions it thinks are right. If this happens, there's a reason behind it, maybe another good reason why we did what we did.”
He pointed out that Liverpool doesn’t make transfers on a whim. Decisions are thought through, with the club’s interests always at heart.
Regarding keeping Alisson for his experience, Slot admitted that’s one argument, but there are others and, ultimately, the club will decide what’s best. Alisson’s contract still has a year left.
When pressed about Juventus, Slot replied, “Ali’s main focus is clear; he wants to get back in goal for Liverpool as soon as possible and then play for Brazil. That’s his short- and mid-term future.”
LIVERPOOL WARNED TO OFFER CURTIS JONES NEW CONTRACT BEFORE 14-MONTH DEADLINE
Analysis: Curtis Jones’ elite passing stats and why Jermaine Pennant believes Liverpool cannot afford to lose the versatile midfielder.
Liverpool really needs to sort out a new contract for Curtis Jones before they make the same mistake it did with Luis Diaz. That’s what the Inside Liverpool panel thinks, especially now that Diaz is lighting up Bayern Munich and making Liverpool’s transfer moves look pretty questionable.
Bayern’s front three, with Diaz in the mix, have racked up 100 goals across all competitions this season – the first time any non-Spanish team has done that. Diaz himself has bagged 26 goals in 46 matches and just scored against PSG in the Champions League semi-final.
Looking back, Liverpool probably wish they hadn’t let Diaz walk for £65 million last summer. Since then, fans at Anfield haven’t seen anyone who brings what he did: that relentless pressing, always looming as a threat on the counter. Sure, they’ve brought in Rio Ngumoha, a teenager, just 17, but Arne Slot, the coach, knows you can’t just expect him to fill those shoes right away.
On talkSPORT’s Inside Liverpool, Jermaine Pennant, who has played for the club, said that Liverpool has to bring in another proven attacker over the summer. Pennant’s point: Diaz was great whether he played in the middle or on the left, and Liverpool needs someone with that kind of flexibility. You don’t want to sign a backup like Hugo Ekitike and then end up overcrowding with too many strikers when the main guy returns.
Now, Jones could end up in the same boat this summer. There’s a lot of uncertainty around his future, and when you look at the numbers, he’s only got 14 months left on his contract. Several clubs in England and Europe are watching, and he’s only started 15 games for Liverpool this season.
Even though he hasn’t played much, Jones is impressing; he’s second only to Rodri in midfielder passes per 90 minutes in the Premier League. He’s also ranked second behind Moises Caicedo for passing accuracy, and right behind Rayan Cherki for carries. Pennant said the club can’t afford to let him go: Jones is so versatile; you can play him anywhere in midfield or even right back. He knows the club, loves it, and helps connect the squad.
Jones has been one of the top performers recently. Pennant thinks Liverpool should offer him a new deal, especially since the squad is thinning out and they’ve already lost Trent Alexander-Arnold. In the end, it’s up to Jones if he wants to stay or move for more game time, but Liverpool has to make the offer while they still can.
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