Liverpool sweat over star trio’s availability as AFCON comes calling

Liverpool trio of Mohamed Salah, Mane and Keita could miss eight games due to AFCON

Title challengers Liverpool are all set to lose star duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane along with midfielder Naby Keita for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations despite the claims that the tournament might get postponed. (h/t Liverpool Echo)

However, according to the latest report AFCON is all set to go ahead in January 2022 despite some parts of the Cameroon tournament needing ‘urgent attention’ just months ahead of its kick-off.

A press release ( H/T Liverpoolecho) from the Confederation of African Football has revealed that no cancellations are part of the discussions, as of yet.

“The Executive Committee received a comprehensive report from the CAF Organising Committee delegation led by Vice President Augustin Senghor and General Secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba, who recently visited Cameroon,” stated the press release.

“The Executive Committee noted the report and the progress made so far. The EXCO emphasised the need to make follow-ups with the local organising committee on the areas that still need some urgent attention ahead of the kick-off on January 9, 2022.”

The tournament is scheduled to start on January 9 and will see the Liverpool trio along with several other players from the Premier League leave their club in late December. Liverpool, who are in tremendous form, could lose Salah, Mane and Keita for as many as eight games.

Salah, who currently tops the EPL scoring charts with ten goals in nine games, will represent Egypt at the tournament, with Mane playing for Senegal and Keita will represent Guinea.

Players competing from the latter stages of the tournament, including the final on February 6, may not be ready for the club competition until the second week of February.

More Liverpool News

• Didier Drogba titles Liverpool duo Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah the new ‘kings’ of the Premier League
• Alan Shearer believes Mohamed Salah is the best player in the world at the moment
• Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp provides an injury update on Naby Keita

Liverpool play Leicester City, Chelsea, Brentford and Crystal Palace in the Premier League games during the course of AFCON 20202. FA Cup round 3 will also be taking place during that time.