Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp did not hide his anger at the timing of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, due to which he will lose Mohamed Salah for a period of time, while he considers the Egyptian international “irreplaceable.”
The African Nations was supposed to be held last summer, but the tropical climate of Côte d'Ivoire and the abundance of rain caused the competition to be postponed to its old usual date in January.
This means that Liverpool will lose Salah’s services between January 13, 2024 and February 10 (if Egypt reaches the final), at a time when the Reds’ decisive matches will increase in various tournaments.
When Klopp was asked about Salah and who would replace him, he replied, "I haven't thought about that yet. I don't have a real plan for that. It will happen in January. We can't stop him. I hope Diogo (Jota) comes back."
He also added, "I haven't thought about it yet. Maybe he will join the Arsenal match (in the FA Cup). I'm not sure when he will join the Egypt national team."
He concluded, "I am sure that Salah wants to play the Arsenal match, but if the Egyptian national team decides to leave him at the beginning of January, it will be difficult."
Salah is scheduled to miss Liverpool's matches against Bournemouth, Chelsea, Arsenal and Burnley in the English Premier League, and he may also miss the semi-finals of the FA Cup if the Reds succeed in reaching it.
It is noteworthy that the Egyptian national team was included in one group with Ghana, Cape Verde and Mozambique in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
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