Liverpool will start their title defence at home against Bournemouth on Friday, but Salah will not be part of the team for the whole season. The Africa Cup of Nations takes place in Morocco from December 21st, 2025, to January 18th, 2026. Salah will represent Egypt in the tournament, starting with their first match against Zimbabwe on December 22nd.

Salah is expected to miss at least three Premier League games, including matches against Tottenham Hotspur, Wolves, and Leeds United. If Egypt performs well in the tournament, Salah could miss as many as six league games, which would be a significant blow to his team.

Additionally, Salah will likely miss three more league matches during the full knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations. These matches include games against Fulham, Arsenal, and Burnley. The absence of Salah in these crucial matches will be a challenge for his team's manager, Arne Slot.