Arne Slot Allows Mohamed Salah To Assign Egypt In The 2025 Africa Cup Of Nations

JAKARTA - The date of departure for Mohamed Salah for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Africa Cup of Nations) has been confirmed by Liverpool Manager, Arne Slot.

Salah will depart on December 15, 2025, to join the Egyptian National Team in a tournament that runs from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026.

Arne Slot praised Salah's professionalism after the striker was not included in the core line-up in a 2-0 win over West Ham United.

Goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo ended a streak of three consecutive defeats to last season's Premier League champions at London Stadium. Salah remains a substitute who is not played.

This is the first time the Egyptian player has been backed up in the league since April 2024, when the previous manager Jurgen Klopp was still on duty.

"It was a reasonable assumption (that Salah was disappointed not to start) and a normal reaction from a player was good enough to play for us."

"I said it in a low tone because he has been so amazing for this club for years and will continue to be for us in the future."

"Of course, a player is not happy because he doesn't play. He's not the only one who isn't happy because he doesn't start. I can say it's natural."

"However, the way he behaves is in line with what you expect from a professional. He is very supportive for his teammates, dealing very well with himself throughout the day and yesterday in training."

"You can't be a player available every three days and play that high standards if you follow your emotions."

"However, Mo is very disciplined, knowing what he has to do to stay fit. It doesn't matter if he plays well, doesn't play, or doesn't play."

"He will always be the best professional and that's what he's shown in recent days," said Arne Slot.

The match on Sunday, November 30, 2025, against West Ham witnessed Isak scoring his first league goal for Liverpool. Meanwhile, another new summer player, Florian Wirtz, also impressed.

However, Arne Slot has not confirmed whether he will deploy the same team at home to Sunderland in the Premier League on Thursday, December 4, 2025, early morning WIB.

"I haven't really thought about it yet because yesterday we were recovering and were going to train. So, let's see how the players feel."

"Florian has been out for a week and a half to two of training. So, he's been playing so many minutes is a good thing."

"Joe Gomez too. It's great to see Florian play that well, but this isn't the first time, maybe the first time someone else has noticed."

"However, I've seen him play well for us. Seeing Alex score his first goal was also very positive."

"A player who couldn't play five to 10 minutes longer than he should have been because he told me yesterday he felt a little cramps. So, we have to see how his condition is while training today," said Arne Slot.