Mohamed Salah is out of Arsenal’s game against Liverpool next week, regardless of whether Egypt continue to progress in the Africa Cup of Nations.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates after scoring their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield on December 23, 2023. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield on December 23, 2023. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Mohamed Salah suffered a hamstring injury early on at the Africa Cup of Nations, initially ruling him out of Egypt’s next couple of games.

The winger was originally touted for a return around the quarter-final stage, which coincides with Arsenal’s match against Liverpool. As a result, there were plenty of Liverpool fans hoping for Egypt’s elimination, to allow the winger to return for that game.

But further testing on Salah’s injury has revealed bad news. The player’s agent confirms the injury “is more serious than first thought”, with Salah set to miss 21-28 days.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool scores their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield on December 23, 2023. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool scores their team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield on December 23, 2023. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Salah is still hoping to play at AFCON, and if he’s slightly ahead of schedule and Egypt make it all the way to the final then that might still be possible.

But Arsenal play Liverpool in just 12 days, a game that will come far too soon for the visitors’ star goalscorer.

Liverpool themselves have confirmed that Salah will now return to the club for further treatment.

Egypt's midfielder Mohamed Elneny gives a thumbs up to Mohamed Salah during a training session at an annex of the Olembe stadium in Yaounde on February 5, 2022. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images)
Egypt’s midfielder Mohamed Elneny gives a thumbs up to Mohamed Salah during a training session at an annex of the Olembe stadium in Yaounde on February 5, 2022. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images)

Egypt made it through to the AFCON last-16 by the skin of their teeth, conceding a late equaliser against Cape Verde but qualifying due to Mozambique’s two-goal injury-time comeback against Ghana.

Mohamed Elneny is Arsenal’s sole participant at the tournament, and he’ll hope to help keep his team in the competition long enough to see Salah return.