Slot reveals when Salah will join Egypt for AFCON

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has set a timeline for forward Mohamed Salah to link up with the Egypt national team ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) slated for Morocco from December.

While admitting Salah was left upset after being benched during their Premier League fixture against West Ham United, Slot explained Salah will not leave Merseyside until less than a week from the tournament’s kickoff.

Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s fixture against Sunderland on Wednesday, Slot said as quoted by Flashscore: “Fair assumption and normal reaction (being upset) for someone who can play for us. Of course, a player isn’t happy he isn’t playing; he wasn’t the only one, I can tell you.

“The way he behaved was as you would expect from the professional he is, he was very supportive for his teammates and handled himself really well.”

He added: “You can’t play that well every three days if you go with your emotions, but Mo is so disciplined. He will always be that top professional as he was the last few days.”

On when Salah will link up with Egypt squad for AFCON, he said: “He’ll go on December 15.”

“The way we have worked is that there’s a communication between all three – the player, the club and country. That’s nothing new. But FIFA have said December 15th is the last day a player has to be released.”

On Monday, the technical staff of the Egypt national team, led by head coach Hossam Hassan announced the squad that will take part in the December training camp, scheduled to begin on December 3, as preparations intensify for the AFCON.

The tournament will be held in Morocco from 21 December 2024 to 18 January 2025, and the Pharaohs enter the competition aiming to secure at least a semifinal spot.

Egypt will play a friendly against Nigeria on 14 December at Cairo International Stadium, the team’s final test before traveling to Morocco on 17 December for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Egypt Squad for December Camp

Goalkeepers: Mohamed El Shenawy, Ahmed El Shenawy, Mostafa Shobeir, Mohamed Sobhy.

Defenders: Mohamed Hany, Ahmed Eid, Rami Rabia, Khaled Sobhi, Yasser Ibrahim, Mohamed Ismail, Hossam Abdelmegid, Mohamed Hamdy, Ahmed Fattouh.

Midfielders: Marwan Attia, Hamdy Fathy, Mohanad Lasheen, Mahmoud Saber, Mohamed Shehata, Emam Ashour, Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, Ibrahim Adel, Mostafa Fathi, Omar Marmoush, Mohamed Salah.

Forwards: Mostafa Mohamed, Salah Mohsen, Osama Faisal.

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