Salah set for AFCON duty as rift with Slot clouds Liverpool future

CAIRO: Mohamed Salah is set for a brief escape from the turbulence at Liverpool as he joins Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco next week. The 33-year-old, whose recent comments sparked headlines across England, was officially named in Hossam Hassan’s 28-man squad on Thursday for the tournament kicking off on December 21. His participation means Salah will miss at least two Premier League fixtures for the Reds.

The forward ignited a media storm after Liverpool’s draw with Leeds United last weekend, claiming he had been unfairly singled out for the club’s poor run of form and suggesting his relationship with manager Arne Slot had sharply declined. The tension was compounded by his recent lack of involvement on the pitch. Salah was an unused substitute against Leeds and had also been benched in last month’s clash with West Ham United. He was then left out entirely for Liverpool’s midweek Champions League victory away to Inter Milan.