Premier League: Major blow as Liverpool could be without Salah, Mane & Keita for start of 2021

Liverpool is likely to be without Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita for the start of 2021, with the Africa Cup of Nations set to be moved. You can buy Premier League Tickets from our website, around the world to enjoy its terrific performances.

The AFCON was held in the summer for the first time in its history last year, which came as a relief to clubs in England.

Previously, they were forced to release players for the international duty midway through the domestic campaign, with Mane missing seven games in 2016/17 while he was with Senegal in Gabon. Last year’s tournament was held in June and July, with Salah, Mane, and Keita all back for pre-season with Liverpool—albeit the latter having suffered an injury.

Now, however, the Reds could be left to plan without the African trio, with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) expected to announce that the AFCON will be moved back to winter.

African football expert John Bennett talk

According to BBC Sport’s African football expert John Bennett, talks are underway over a potential switch in schedule, with this being “likely.” “June and July would be rainy season in Cameroon and there’s a clash with the new 2021 Club World Cup,” Bennett continued.

“When we took the decision to move the Africa Cup of Nations to June, which we did for the last tournament in Egypt, we have always said that we need to have some flexibility over the dates,” Ahmad explained.

“This is because of the different climatic conditions in the continent. I don’t know why the media has forgotten that this was discussed in detail, at the 2017 CAF symposium that we had in Morocco.

“In my view, it is not possible, because of the climatic conditions in Cameroon, to stage the Africa Cup of Nations in June and July. If this is the case, Liverpool could see Salah, Mane and Keita report for international duty at this time next year, which could impact their involvement in the Premier League and Champions League.

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