Fans Confirm Mohamed Salah’s Exit — Liverpool Legend Reportedly Planning to RETIRE from Club Football After AFCON!

It is never easy for Liverpool fans to accept that one of their greatest-ever players will leave the team — even if it’s just for a few weeks. But as the winter of 2025 approaches, the familiar challenge returns once again. Mohamed Salah, the man who has defined a generation at Anfield, is preparing to leave Liverpool to represent Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations. And this time, reports suggest he could be leaving earlier than expected, creating a huge headache for Arne Slot and his coaching staff during one of the busiest and most important parts of the Premier League season.

For nearly a decade, Salah has been the heartbeat of Liverpool’s attack, the man whose brilliance has carried the team to countless victories, trophies, and unforgettable moments. Since joining from AS Roma in 2017, he has scored goals that echo through Anfield history — from his dazzling solo run against Manchester City to his Champions League heroics in Madrid and beyond. He is not just a player; he is a symbol of what Liverpool became under Jürgen Klopp — relentless, fearless, and world-class.

But this season, as the Premier League race tightens and Liverpool continue to adjust under new manager Arne Slot, the reality is setting in that Salah’s absence could define the team’s title hopes. The African Cup of Nations begins on December 21, 2025, and runs until January 18, 2026. That’s nearly a month without their most dangerous player. But even more concerning for Liverpool is the possibility that Salah could leave Anfield much earlier than expected to join Egypt’s national team training camp.

According to reports from WinWin Sports, Egypt’s head coach Hossam Hassan is planning to call up his squad as early as December 7. That means Salah could be unavailable for Liverpool’s Premier League fixtures from mid-December onward — including crucial games that could shape the Reds’ title ambitions. There’s even talk of Egypt playing a warm-up friendly against Nigeria on December 14, which would mean Salah leaving immediately after Liverpool’s match against Brighton on December 13.

If that plan goes ahead, Liverpool will lose Salah for a minimum of six games — including domestic fixtures and possibly European matches — depending on how far Egypt progresses in the tournament. The situation has created a wave of uncertainty around Anfield, especially because the Premier League will not pause during AFCON, unlike what happened with the 2022 World Cup. This time, every team will continue playing, meaning Liverpool will need to navigate a demanding run of fixtures without their talismanic forward.

It’s not the first time the Reds have faced this challenge. In 2023, Salah also left for AFCON, and while Egypt were eliminated earlier than expected, he returned with an injury that kept him sidelined for several weeks. That experience still lingers in the minds of fans and coaches alike. The fear isn’t only about missing Salah’s goals — it’s about the fatigue and risk of injury that come with a midseason international tournament played in intense conditions.

For Arne Slot, this presents a tactical and emotional test. The Dutchman has started his Liverpool tenure with clear intent — high energy, technical control, and quick transitions. Salah’s movement, pressing, and ability to turn half-chances into goals are essential to that system. Without him, Slot will need to find a balance between maintaining attacking threat and ensuring stability.

In Salah’s absence, the responsibility will likely fall on players like Luis Díaz, Diogo Jota, and Cody Gakpo to carry the scoring burden. Young talents like Ben Doak and Kaide Gordon could also see increased playing time, while Darwin Núñez may need to rediscover his ruthless finishing if Liverpool are to stay competitive. But the truth remains that Salah’s influence goes beyond numbers. His presence on the pitch gives the team confidence, his energy lifts the fans, and his consistency sets the standard.

At 33 years old, Salah is no longer the young winger who first arrived from Roma, but he remains one of the fittest players in Europe. His diet, training discipline, and recovery routines have kept him at the top level, and his drive to represent Egypt remains as strong as ever. For him, AFCON is not just another tournament — it’s a matter of national pride. He has come close to lifting the trophy before, most notably in 2017 and 2021, but has never managed to win it. This time, with Egypt’s squad looking stronger under Hossam Hassan, Salah is more determined than ever to finally bring the title home.

That determination, however, creates a dilemma for Liverpool. They understand and respect Salah’s national duty, but they also know that losing him in December could derail their momentum. The festive period in English football is traditionally one of the busiest — with games coming thick and fast across Christmas and New Year. Titles are not won in December, but they can certainly be lost there. Without Salah, Liverpool risk dropping valuable points in a period that often decides who stays in the title race and who falls behind.

Arne Slot has already begun quietly preparing for this eventuality. Reports suggest that in recent weeks, he has tested different tactical shapes during training sessions — some involving two strikers, others with more compact midfields — as he looks for the best way to adapt when Salah departs. Slot has also emphasized that every player in the squad must be ready to step up, highlighting the importance of collective effort rather than individual brilliance.

Yet, even with the best planning, there’s no easy way to replace a player like Salah. His goals, assists, and leadership make him irreplaceable. Since his arrival, he has scored over 200 goals for the club, provided countless assists, and led Liverpool through their most successful era in decades — including Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Club World Cup triumphs. To imagine Liverpool without him, even temporarily, is to imagine a team missing its heartbeat.

Beyond the tactical headache, there’s also the emotional side of Salah’s departure. His bond with Liverpool fans is special — he is adored not just for his footballing brilliance but for his humility, work ethic, and loyalty. Every time he steps onto the pitch at Anfield, the crowd sings his name, and he responds with performances that reflect deep gratitude. Losing him, even for a few weeks, leaves a void that no one can truly fill.

It also raises broader questions about Liverpool’s future. Salah’s contract runs until 2027, and while the club remains confident he will stay for at least one more full season, whispers of Saudi Arabian interest never completely disappear. Clubs in the Saudi Pro League have made no secret of their desire to bring him home to the Middle East — and although Liverpool rejected a £150 million bid in 2023, another approach could come soon. How Liverpool handle this AFCON absence may shape decisions for the summer of 2026.

For now, though, the focus remains on managing the coming months. Liverpool’s medical staff and conditioning coaches will be working closely with Salah to ensure he remains in top shape before leaving. They’ll also liaise with Egypt’s national team to coordinate his workload and minimize injury risk. Still, the unpredictability of tournament football means that anything can happen — from overexertion to exhaustion.

For Egypt, Salah’s early arrival would be a huge boost. His leadership and professionalism set the tone for the entire squad. Young players like Omar Marmoush and Mahmoud Trezeguet look up to him, and his presence in training raises standards. But for Liverpool, every day he spends away could feel like a countdown — not just to when he leaves, but to when he finally returns.

The club’s supporters will hope that by the time Salah departs, Liverpool will be firmly in contention near the top of the Premier League table. That would allow the team to absorb his absence with less pressure. But if the title race is tight, his missing presence could prove costly. Football history is full of small margins — a few dropped points here and there can decide everything.

What makes this situation particularly tricky is the timing. Liverpool are expected to face a difficult run of fixtures over the festive period, including games against strong mid-table sides that traditionally cause problems for top teams. Those are the types of matches where Salah often makes the difference — breaking deadlocks, scoring late winners, or creating moments of magic when the team needs inspiration. Without him, Liverpool must find another source of that spark.

There is also a psychological side to consider. When a player like Salah leaves, it can shift the dressing room dynamic. Younger players suddenly carry more responsibility, and opponents sense opportunity. Slot’s job will be to keep morale high and ensure the squad remains united and focused.

If all goes well, Salah could return to Liverpool in late January, hopefully injury-free and full of confidence. If Egypt go deep into the tournament, he might even come back as a champion — something that would only add to his already legendary status. But if things go wrong — if Egypt exit early or Salah suffers fatigue or injury — Liverpool could face more questions than answers.

Whatever happens, one thing is certain: Mo Salah’s absence will be deeply felt. His departure for AFCON isn’t just about losing a player — it’s about losing a symbol, a leader, and a source of inspiration. For years, he has carried Liverpool’s hopes on his shoulders, and once again, the club will have to find a way to survive without him.

The coming weeks will test not only Liverpool’s tactical depth but also their resilience. Can they maintain their rhythm without their most consistent performer? Can they turn this challenge into motivation? Those are questions Arne Slot and his players must answer — and quickly.

As the countdown to AFCON continues, Liverpool fans are preparing for a bittersweet December. They’ll cheer for Salah as he represents Egypt, but they’ll also be counting the days until he walks back through the Shankly Gates, ready to light up Anfield once more. Because for all the challenges, one truth remains: when Mo Salah plays, Liverpool believe. And belief is what keeps this club alive