Talks go on as Liverpool face losing Salah to Egypt duty earlier than expected

LIVERPOOL could lose Mohamed Salah for the Africa Cup of Nations earlier than they had hoped, with the Reds star potentially missing a crucial Premier League clash.

- By PAUL GORST

Egypt want Salah for a mid-December friendly before AFCON begins, which would see him miss a home Premier League fixture with Brighton & Hove Albion on December 13 on top of the games he is already away for over the Christmas and New Year period.

The Pharaohs begin their campaign on December 22 when they meet Zimbabwe in a Group B clash at Agadir’s Adrar Stadium.

That means Salah is expected to miss the Reds’ trip to Tottenham Hotspur two days earlier and with the African tournament running from December 21 to January 18, the third highest scorer in Anfield history could miss as many as six games, depending on the progress of Hossam Hassan’s side in Morocco.

A group stage exit for Egypt could mean Salah is back in time for the visit from Leeds United on New Year’s Day, although the trip to Fulham three days later is viewed as a more realistic return to the side.