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Mohamed Salah is set to sit down for crunch talks with Egypt boss Hossam Hassan next week to avoid another club-versus-country row ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Egypt have a training camp and warm-up friendly on the week commencing December 8, where the Pharaohs take on Nigeria at Cairo Stadium.
As reported by local outlet WinWin last week, the Egypt boss has the right to call up Salah for that fixture – and also Manchester City star Omar Marmoush.
Liverpool, however, play Inter Milan away in the Champions League and Brighton at home in the Premier League that week – and want their star forward, who is just coming back into form, for those fixtures.
It is understood Salah would also prefer to stay and play those competitive matches for Liverpool.
The 33-year-old is set for talks with the coach next week, with Egypt set to take on Algeria and Uzbekistan in friendlies.
Mohamed Salah is set to sit down for crunch talks with Egypt boss Hossam Hassan next week to avoid another club-versus-country row ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations
Salah, who has 63 goals in 108 caps and is six shy of Hassan's own Egypt goals record, got injured and flew home early during the last AFCON tournament in the Ivory Coast
Two years ago, Liverpool wrote to Egypt asking for Salah to be exempted from an international camp to better his long-term health. Locals in Cairo were furious and said it was their ‘right’ to call up Salah, though they did eventually grant the Reds their wish.
Salah, who has 63 goals in 108 caps and is six shy of Hassan's own Egypt goals record, got injured and flew home early during the last AFCON tournament in the Ivory Coast, which also irked Egyptians. The forward was never fully fit and firing for the rest of the season as Liverpool’s title challenge faltered in spring.
Now the two parties, who hold amicable relations despite disagreements over their star man, must agree on when Salah will be released for the upcoming tournament which takes place in Morocco from December 21 to January 18.
Presuming Salah is granted his wish to leave after the Brighton game, the worst-case scenario for Liverpool – which is if Egypt reach the final – would see Salah miss at least seven games and, realistically, eight.
That would include league games against Tottenham (a), Wolves (h), Leeds (h), Fulham (a), Arsenal (a) and Burnley (h) plus a Champions League game at Marseille four days after the AFCON final, presuming he is given a rest – plus the FA Cup third round in early January.
Egypt, looking to extend their record of seven AFCON titles, are the third favourites behind Morocco and Algeria with the bookmakers so it is not unrealistic to expect Salah, Marmoush and Co to go far into the tournament.
…and Potter calls up Isak
Speaking of potential club-versus-country tensions, Sweden boss Graham Potter has called up Alexander Isak for two must-win World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland and Slovenia next week.
Isak, of course, has not featured in any of the last four Liverpool games with a groin injury suffered in the first half against Eintracht Frankfurt two weeks ago. The £125million striker remains a doubt for the trip to Manchester City on Sunday, though he may make the bench.
Alexander Isak and Sweden are in must-win mode to qualify for next summer's World Cup, having taken just one point from their first four matches
Isak playing two crunch fixtures, where Sweden need to win both games and hope other results go their way to qualify, might not be an ideal scenario for Arne Slot when his striker needs to be eased back slowly.
Potter's predecessor Jon Dahl Tomasson was in Slot’s good books for going easy on Isak in the last two international camps – the two managers spoke and the former Blackburn boss was thanked for his patience.
But ultimately, not having a fit and firing Isak cost the Dane his job and he was sacked in mid-October. Will Potter have so much patience? It would not be a surprise if he gets a call from Slot in the next few days.
Real deny Guehi interest
Several stories did the rounds this week involving Real Madrid, Liverpool and central defenders.
First, Reds target Marc Guehi – the Crystal Palace captain who was nearly a Liverpool player on deadline day – has been linked with Real Madrid over a free transfer next summer. The Spanish club have played down those reports.
Guehi remains on Liverpool’s list for a future signing – we have already debated whether that should be in January or the summer – and sources in Madrid reckon he has given his word to join the Premier League champions.
Likewise, there were reports around Virgil van Dijk wanting to join Real Madrid before he penned his new Liverpool deal. With his contract expiring for much of last season, surely it crossed his mind – but the Dutchman’s No1 priority was always Liverpool.
And there has also been talk over Ibrahima Konate and a potential move to the Spanish capital. Yes, it is true, they like him and appreciate the French defender. At this stage, though, nothing is sorted either way. The Reds are still trying to agree a new deal with Konate.
The rumours are spreading that Real Madrid were desperate to get their hands on Virgil van Dijk last summer - but his No1 priority was always Liverpool
Gravenberch opens door to new deal
It may have been lost amid all the storylines and drama of Liverpool versus Real Madrid – but one topic that came up this week was a new contract for Ryan Gravenberch.
After a phenomenal campaign last year, it is no surprise to say the Reds are keen to tie down Gravenberch to a long-term deal – especially after his agent, Jose Fortes Rodriguez, said he would love to play for one of Spain’s big two clubs.
‘When Ryan was 16, Barca called us,’ said the agent from Team Raiola, who also looks after the likes of Justin Kluivert, Micky van de Ven and Brian Brobbey. ‘They wanted to sign him, but his father and I prioritised his development.
‘He’s good enough for Real Madrid. We would love for him to play for them, but Liverpool would ask for a lot of money. I know they’ve had their eye on him, but now it’s impossible.’
Rodriguez was talking of his own feelings and not those of Gravenberch, and the last word is key: impossible.
No talks have taken place between the agent and Liverpool over a new deal just yet but Gravenberch, a new father, is happy at the club and it would not be a surprise if he is extending his contract before too long.
Liverpool are keen to tie down Ryan Gravenberch to a new contract, with Barcelona and Real Madrid linked to him in the past
Extra money in the kitty
Fabio Carvalho is not enjoying life on the bench at Brentford, and it is understood he will be seeking a move away in the next two transfer windows if he continues to be a bit-part player.
The former Fulham man joined the Bees for £22.5million plus a potential £5m in add-ons in August 2024 – and it is believed Liverpool have a 17.5 per cent sell-on clause.
Carvalho has played just 100 minutes in the league this season. Should he leave the Gtech Community Stadium, then the Reds would pocket a small bonus. Nothing major but it would be better than a kick in the teeth.
All-action ‘Rambo’ poised for loan
Calvin Ramsay made a surprise appearance in Liverpool’s XI in the Carabao Cup defeat by Crystal Palace last week – and it is fair to say he was the best Reds player on the pitch in the 3-0 loss.
With Jeremie Frimpong injured, some fans called for ‘Rambo’ to be on the substitutes' bench for the first-team game against Aston Villa last Saturday. He is eligible and able to be called upon if needed.
But it appears Ramsay will be going out on loan in January, if he stays fit. The Scotsman, who has had loans at Preston, Bolton, Wigan and Kilmarnock since joining Liverpool, has a number of clubs keeping tabs on him for a potential move.
Indeed, an EFL manager has been at several Under 21s matches this season watching Ramsay, 22. Don’t rule out more minutes in the first team just yet but another loan for regular men’s football seems the most likely next step.
It appears Calvin Ramsay will be going out on loan in January, if he stays fit
Frimpong documents road to recovery from ‘upsetting’ blow
Confidential readers will remember how we brought you news last week about Frimpong being on the sidelines for longer than most fans expected – with the Dutchman not near a return to fitness just yet.
It is too early still to put a hard date on when he may return but it is still some weeks off yet.
And Frimpong has now taken to social media to document his return to recovery, posting updates on his TikTok and Snapchat accounts.
‘It’s upsetting,’ he said. ‘As a footballer it’s not a nice thing to go through, but it’s part of the job. It is really, really, really annoying, but it’s life.’
Jeremie Frimpong has now taken to social media to document his return to recovery, posting updates on his TikTok and Snapchat accounts
Kicking Off Conversations initiative is great
A heartwarming and important initiative which I have been meaning to mention in this column for several weeks is around Liverpool’s mental health work.
The club launched its Kicking Off Conversations scheme alongside Samaritans and it involves a designated place on-site for fans to get help or advice should they need it.
A tent on the corner of Stanley Park and Anfield Road is manned by trained staff and volunteers to offer comfort, connection and practical help. More than 40 people popped in during a recent game.
Premier League clubs get a lot of stick for being out of touch with reality but some of their community projects are excellent.
Coming up next week...
Next week's Confidential will be another Q and A special.
Send your best questions on Liverpool, be it about transfers, tactics or contracts, to me on social media (I'm @LewisSteele_ on X and Instagram) and I will answer the best 10. See you next week.
