Liverpool finally breathed for the first time in weeks after a much-needed 0–2 win over West Ham, a result that snapped a brutal run of six defeats in their last seven Premier League matches. But even on a day of relief, another cloud formed over Arne Slot’s squad. The absence of Mohamed Salah, who started on the bench for the first time since April 2024 and did not play a single minute in London, has now turned into something far bigger than a simple rotation.

Why Didn’t Salah Feature Against West Ham?

The decision shocked everyone around the club. Salah has been untouchable for years, yet Slot opted to leave him out of the XI — something not seen since the early days of Jürgen Klopp. The coach tried to soften the narrative, saying he has also benched players like Alexander Isak or Hugo Ekitiké, but the timing is hard to ignore.

Salah is currently going through his steepest dip in form since arriving in 2017.
He has only 5 goals this season — four in the Premier League, one in the Champions League — and his impact on Liverpool’s attacking mechanisms has noticeably declined. Slot insists that “Salah has a good future here because he’s special,” but the pressure of Liverpool’s poor start demands urgent solutions.

When Will Salah Leave To Join Egypt?

That’s where the situation becomes even more complicated.
The Egyptian national team has already begun preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Morocco from December 21 to January 18.

Egypt’s coach, Hossam Hassan, wants Salah in camp by December 14 for a friendly against Nigeria. Negotiations between Liverpool and the federation are ongoing, but the plan is clear: the Faraos want their star early.

If the request is granted, Liverpool will lose Salah during the most congested period of the European calendar.

Which Matches Could Salah Miss With Liverpool?

The list is brutal. Between Premier League, Champions League, and the FA Cup, Salah could miss nearly every match from mid-December to the end of January:

Premier League
13/12 vs Brighton
20/12 vs Tottenham
27/12 vs Wolves
01/01 vs Leeds
04/01 vs Fulham
08/01 vs Arsenal
17/01 vs Burnley
24/01 vs Bournemouth
31/01 vs Newcastle

Champions League
21/12 vs Marseille
28/12 vs Qarabag

FA Cup
10/01 – Opponent TBD

For a team already fighting inconsistency, this is the worst possible moment to lose their main source of goals and gravity.

What Does This Mean For Liverpool?

It’s a double-edged storyline.
Liverpool desperately needs stability under Slot, and losing Salah now only adds more volatility to a delicate rebuild. December and January often define the race for Europe in the Premier League and shape momentum in the Champions League.

On the other side is Egypt — a national team that owns seven AFCON titles, yet still carries an obsession: giving Salah the trophy he has never lifted since debuting in 2011.

For a few weeks, both paths will diverge. And the timing couldn’t be worse for either.