Liverpool Handed Salah, Mane AFCON Boost

Liverpool are hopeful of having Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah available after the December 27 deadline for players to link up with their Africa Cup of Nations teams.

The Reds are currently set to lose the Egypt and Senegal internationals on Monday, while Guinea’s Naby Keita represents the third Liverpool player taking part in the continental tournament.

The 2022 Africa Cup of Nations does not kick off until January 9, although FIFA rules stipulate that players are required to join their national teams 13 days before the tournament begins.

However, The Express reports that the World Leagues Forum has written to both FIFA and the African Football Confederation to complain about the “unreasonable and disproportionate” regulations.

The report adds that the WLF has informed the governing bodies that players will not be released for AFCON duty until January 3, meaning that Liverpool will have Salah and Mane available for clashes with Leicester City and Chelsea.

The 2022 AFCON ends with the final on February 6, and Liverpool will at least be forced to cope without Salah and Mane for both legs of their EFL Cup semi-final with Arsenal next month.