Given the recent strain in relationship between player and club, Mohamed Salah's time as a Liverpool player looks like it could come to an end in 2026.
In fact, it's even possible he has played his final game as a Red. Having departed for international duty with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, Salah could now be nearing an acrimonious end to his illustrious time at Anfield.
Yet there's also the potential that Salah returns to the club following the conclusion of Egypt's journey through AFCON, ready to help press on towards the latter stages of the 2025/26 season.
AllSportsPeople brings you a full overview of when Salah could potentially make his way back to Merseyside, when his matches with Egypt will be, and what games Salah would miss thanks to international duty.
MORE: Egypt top Nigeria in pre-AFCON friendly with Salah on the bench
When is AFCON 2025?
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations began on December 21 and is contested for a month all the way up until the final on January 18.
Originally scheduled for this past June and July, AFCON was pushed back to the winter due to the 2025 Club World Cup scheduled for action in the United States over the same time.
| Round | Dates |
| Group Stage | Dec. 21 — Dec. 31 |
| Round of 16 | Jan. 3 — Jan. 6 |
| Quarterfinals | Jan. 9 — Jan. 10 |
| Semifinals | Jan. 14 |
| Third Place | Jan. 17 |
| Final | Jan. 18 |
When is Mohamed Salah back from AFCON?
Egypt are now through to the quarterfinals, where they will face Cameroon on January 10. That means Salah will definitely miss at least Liverpool's next game against Arsenal on January 8.
Should Egypt be eliminated, Salah could be back in time for Barnsley's visit to Anfield in the FA Cup on January 12, but it seems more likely he would be given time to rest and make his return against Burnley in the league on January 17. If Egypt reach the final, Salah will miss both the Barnsley and Burnley matches.
MORE: Complete group tables and schedule for AFCON 2025
There is also the possibility that the forward is sold in the January transfer window, potentially meaning he would not return to the club at all should a deal progress prior to the end of the AFCON tournament. However, at this stage, a transfer is not looking imminent.
Egypt AFCON schedule
Egypt were drawn into Group B at AFCON 2025, facing South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe. Finishing top two in the group saw them qualify directly for the knockout stage.
They beat Benin 3-1 in the Round of 16 after being taken to extra time. Next up is a quarterfinal with Cameroon.
Group stage
| Date | Time (ET) | Match | Location |
| Dec. 22 | 3 p.m. | Egypt 2-1 Zimbabwe | Adrar Stadium (Agadir, Morocco) |
| Dec. 26 | 10 a.m. | Egypt 1-0 South Africa | Adrar Stadium (Agadir, Morocco) |
| Dec. 29 | 11 a.m. | Angola 0-0 Egypt | Adrar Stadium (Agadir, Morocco) |
Knockout stage
| Date | Time (ET) | Match | Location |
| Jan. 5 | 11 a.m. | Egypt 3-1 Benin (AET) | Adrar Satdium (Agadir, Morocco) |
| Jan. 10 | 2 p.m. | Egypt vs. Ivory Coast | Adrar Stadium (Agadir, Morocco) |
| Jan. 14 | 12 p.m. | Semifinals vs. TBD | Tangier Grand Stadium (Tangier, Morocco) |
| Jan. 18 | 2 p.m. | Final vs. TBD | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium (Rabat, Morocco) |
Liverpool schedule during AFCON
Matches Salah is guaranteed to miss
| Date | Competition | Match | Location |
| Dec. 20 | Premier League | Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium |
| Dec. 27 | Premier League | Liverpool 2-1 Wolves | Anfield Stadium |
| Jan. 1 | Premier League | Liverpool 0-0 Leeds United | Anfield Stadium |
| Jan. 4 | Premier League | Fulham 2-2 Liverpool | Craven Cottage |
| Jan. 8 | Premier League | Arsenal vs. Liverpool | Emirates Stadium |
Matches Salah could potentially miss
| Date | Competition | Match | Location |
| Jan. 12 | FA Cup 3rd Round | Liverpool vs. Barnsley | Anfield Stadium |
| Jan. 17 | Premier League | Liverpool vs. Burnley | Anfield Stadium |
| Jan. 21 | UEFA Champions League | Marseille vs. Liverpool | Stade Velodrome |