Liverpool May Lose Mane, Salah As CAF Considers January AFCON
Liverpool could lose the services of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah for crucial period next year, as the Confederation of African Football (CAF), considers the possibility of moving the Cup of Nations back to January.
The tournament was moved from January to June, following a decision by CAF executive committee in 2017, and the 2019 edition took place between June and July in Egypt.
However, after just one tournament, there is discussion about whether it should be taken back to its original January to February format for Cameroon 2021, Daily Mail has said.
Reports suggested that the topic would be discussed on Wednesday, when the executive committee meet in Yaounde, Cameroon.
It was also said that CAF President, Ahmad Ahmad, has hinted that the move would be preferable.
According to Ahram Online, this is due to the temperature and weather being more favourable in the earlier part of the year, while it would also not clash with the revamped Club World Cup, which is scheduled to kick-off in 2021.
If it is reconsidered and shifted back to the original date, it would leave a host of Premier League clubs, including Liverpool without some of their star players for up to six matches.
Liverpool for example would be without their star players; Mane, Salah, and Naby Keita, who represent Senegal Egypt and Guinea respectively.
Arsenal would also be without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who plays for Gabon and Nicolas Pepe, the Ivorian international.