Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo and star forward Mohamed Salah during a training session.
Japan’s Wataru Endo and Mohamed Salah of Egypt, will be out of action for Liverpool due to their involvement in the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations respectively.
Liverpool are bracing themselves for the departures of Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo to the African Cup of Nations and Asian Cup respectively.
The Reds earned three points away at Burnley on Boxing Day, thanks to goals from Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota, on his return from injury. A timely boost with their top goalscorer expected to miss a series of encounters for Liverpool.
Endo was among the key performers, despite a mistake that almost brought the game level, as his strong performances for Liverpool continued. Jurgen Klopp has been full of praise for the Japanese international and admitted that the upturn in form from the 30-year-old has come at the worst possible time with the Asian Cup in Qatar, just weeks away.
Salah, meanwhile, has enjoyed a rich vein of form for Liverpool in all competitions, scoring 16 goals in 26 outings. He will depart for the Ivory Coast hoping to have fired Klopp’s side firmly in the Premier League title race.
When does the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) begin?
AFCON kicks off in the Ivory Coast on Saturday, January 13 when they take on Guinea-Bissau. It is just the second time that the country will host the finals in the competition’s history.
Egypt are in action during the opening weekend as they begin their quest to add to their record seven triumphs. The Pharaohs suffered defeat in the final of the last competition as then-Liverpool teammates Salah and Sadio Mane went head-to-head in the showpiece match.
Senegal and Mane emerged as winners with the attacker scoring the winning penalty.
Egypt are in Group B alongside the likes of Ghana, Cape Verde and Mozambique. The knockout stages begin on February 2 with the final due to take place nine days later.
AFCON key dates
Group stages start: January 13
Group stages end: January 24
Second round fixtures: January 27 to January 30
Quarter-finals: February 2 to February 3
Semi-finals: February 7
Third-place playoff: February 10
Final: February 11
When does the AFC Asian Cup begin?
Japan will be looking to go one better in the Asian Cup after being beaten in the final by Qatar – who will host this year’s edition of the tournament. The competition will begin on Friday, January 12 and run until Saturday, February 10. Japan have been drawn in Group D alongside Indonesia, Iraq and Vietnam.
They begin their quest to become five-time winners on January 14 against Vietnam. The top two will progress to the knockout stages which is due to begin on January 28 at the Round of 16 phase before the final on February 10.
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