Liverpool could lose the trio for eight games

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita could leave for the Africa Cup of Nations on December 27 and miss a total of eight games.

FIFA rules state that “players must be released and start traveling to their representative team no later than Monday morning of the week preceding the week of the start of the relevant final competition”.

With hosts Cameroon facing Burkina Faso in the opening match on Sunday January 9, that date will be December 27.

The report states that “discussions between clubs and national federations are likely to focus on an interpretation of the rules” and with the majority of countries not playing their game until January 10-12, England sides could argue that the Monday January 3 would be a reasonable start. Dated.

The star duo will undoubtedly be selected to represent their nations – Salah with Egypt and Mane for Senegal – and could potentially be out for six Premier League games and two FA Cup clashes if they go the distance in the tournament , according to The Athletic.

Those chosen to play in the competition may well leave for Africa after the Premier League’s Boxing Day matches and not return until the second week of February.

If that were the case, it would mean that Liverpool would have Salah, Mane and Naby Keita of Guinea available to face title rivals Chelsea on January 2 which would be a huge boost.

However, if they leave in December they will miss out on facing Leicester at home and away, while Liverpool will also host Brentford before heading to Crystal Palace.

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