Liverpool will be forced to wait to decide Mohamed Salah’s future despite AFCON heartbreak, here’s why

Mohamed Salah is set to return to Liverpool after Egypt were defeated 1-0 by Senegal in the semi-final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Egypt were among the favourites to win AFCON, but Sadio Mane‘s 78th-minute goal sent the Liverpool winger and his team packing.

Salah was visibly emotional at Anfield after playing Brighton in December, in what was his last game before departing for the tournament.

After a public fall-out between him and Arne Slot, Salah’s Liverpool future has been plunged into doubt.

Mohamed Salah to play final AFCON game before return

Salah has been linked heavily with a move to the Saudi Pro League since his fall-out with Slot, which took place at the start of December.

The winger had been left out of the Liverpool team for the third consecutive game, and told the media that he had been “thrown under the bus” by his team.

He went on to admit that he no longer had a relationship with Slot, who subsequently dropped him from the squad completely.

The pair appeared to have come to some type of agreement when Salah returned to the team against Brighton, but that relationship will now be tested once again.

After a closely-fought game of few chances, it was the Liverpool winger’s former partner, Mane, who found the defining moment.

The Al-Nassr forward struck a superb half-volley from range, finding the bottom corner to send Senegal into the final.

But Salah will not immediately return to Liverpool, with Egypt set to play a game for third place against Nigeria on Saturday.

The Super Eagles were knocked out by host nation Morocco on penalties, after a 0-0 draw in the other semi-final on Wednesday.

Wholesome moment captured between Salah and Sadio Mane

There were heart-warming scenes captured on camera in the build-up to Wednesday’s semi-final.

Mane and Salah were an extraordinary pairing for Liverpool, and the two were pleased to see each other in the tunnel before the game.

The former duo embraced and appeared to exchange a few words before the game.

Mane came out on the pitch, but there will be no hard feelings between the Liverpool legends, who make up one of the most devastating duos in Premier League history.

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