ttps://www.101greatgoals.com/”http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd”>
Liverpool to be hit hard by AFCON
Premier League clubs up and down the country are set to be hit hard by their players departing for the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins on January 9th in Cameroon.
And while Chelsea will lose Edouard Mendy and Manchester City will wave goodbye to Riyad Mahrez, it is hard to find a side that will be hit harder than Liverpool.
Both Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, as well as midfield Naby Keita, will be joining up with their respective nations in order to take part in the competition, depriving Jurgen Klopp’s side of goals, attacking verve and pace.
The loss of Salah will be particularly felt, with the Egyptian currently leading the goals and assist charts in the English top flight.
Most #FPL assists 2021/22:
10 – Mohamed Salah
8 – Trent Alexander-Arnold
7 – Gabriel Jesus, Paul Pogba & Jarrod Bowen
6 – Joao Cancelo & Emmanuel Dennis pic.twitter.com/NSzQOYOpdc— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 24, 2021
But, as for the length of their absences, Liverpool have been dealt a massive boost.
Salah to stay for Chelsea clash
Now, as per journalist Rob Harris, Liverpool will be able to keep hold of their African trio for the key tie against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, due to take place on the 2nd of January.
As per latest news, the players will be allowed to remain with their clubs until the 3rd January 2022, before joining up with their respective national teams.
Exclusive: Player release for African Cup of Nations can be delayed by clubs to allow them to play up to January 3 before joining up with their national teams.
Tournament begins on January 9 in Cameroon.https://t.co/cEMrQiLXEZ
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) December 26, 2021
With Liverpool currently 3 points off the pace set by Manchester City, and three points clear of Chelsea, this news comes as a massive relief in what is shaping up to be a must-win clash for both sides to keep their title hopes alive heading past the midway point of the season.
Will Salah ultimately make the difference?
Read more:
Arsenal handed massive injury boost ahead of Norwich clash
“He has no thought of giving up” Chelsea outcast backed to come good for Thomas Tuchel
Liverpool betting odds, next game:
Leicester vs Liverpool odds: result, both teams to score, correct score & goalscorers
Liverpool’s latest videos
Jürgen Klopp’s Christmas Day message to supporters, 2021
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp sits down to speak about some of his festive memories,…
2021-12-25T10:00:05Z
Inside Training: Festive spirit and pinpoint shooting as the Reds train on Christmas Eve
Watch as Jürgen Klopp’s side prepare for the game at Leicester City with a…
2021-12-24T15:15:03Z
Premier League table
| # | Team | MP | D | P |
| 1 | Manchester City | 18 | 35 | 44 |
| 2 | Liverpool FC | 18 | 35 | 41 |
| 3 | Chelsea FC | 18 | 27 | 38 |
| 4 | Arsenal FC | 18 | 4 | 32 |
| 5 | West Ham United | 17 | 7 | 28 |
| 6 | Manchester United | 16 | 2 | 27 |
| 7 | Tottenham Hotspur | 15 | -1 | 26 |
| 8 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 18 | -1 | 25 |
| 9 | Leicester City | 16 | 0 | 22 |
| 10 | Aston Villa | 17 | -2 | 22 |
| 11 | Crystal Palace | 17 | 0 | 20 |
| 12 | Brentford FC | 16 | -1 | 20 |
| 13 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 16 | -3 | 20 |
| 14 | Everton FC | 17 | -8 | 19 |
| 15 | Southampton FC | 17 | -10 | 17 |
| 16 | Leeds United | 18 | -18 | 16 |
| 17 | Watford FC | 16 | -10 | 13 |
| 18 | Burnley FC | 15 | -7 | 11 |
| 19 | Newcastle United | 18 | -23 | 10 |
| 20 | Norwich City | 17 | -26 | 10 |
| Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 15 |
| Jota, Diogo | Liverpool FC | 10 |
| Vardy, Jamie | Leicester City | 9 |
| Raphinha | Leeds United | 8 |
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 7 |
| Mount, Mason | Chelsea FC | 7 |
| Ronaldo, Cristiano | Manchester United | 7 |
| Son, Heung Min | Tottenham Hotspur | 7 |
| Smith-Rowe, Emile | Arsenal FC | 7 |
| Mane, Sadio | Liverpool FC | 7 |
| Silva, Bernardo | Manchester City | 7 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 6 |
| Gallagher, Conor | Crystal Palace | 6 |
| Wilson, Callum | Newcastle United | 6 |
| Maupay, Neal | Brighton & Hove Albion | 6 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 5 |
| King, Joshua | Watford FC | 5 |
| Gray, Demarai | Everton FC | 5 |
| Zaha, Wilfried | Crystal Palace | 5 |
| Sterling, Raheem | Manchester City | 5 |
| Player | Team | Red Cards | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 0 | 6 |
| Neves, Ruben | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0 | 6 |
| Laporte, Aymeric | Manchester City | 1 | 5 |
| Salisu, Mohammed | Southampton FC | 0 | 6 |
| James, Reece | Chelsea FC | 1 | 4 |
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 1 | 4 |
| Robertson, Andy | Liverpool FC | 1 | 4 |
| Cancelo, Joao | Manchester City | 0 | 5 |
| Canos, Sergi | Brentford FC | 0 | 5 |
| Richarlison | Everton FC | 0 | 5 |
| Ritchie, Matt | Newcastle United | 0 | 5 |
| Westwood, Ashley | Burnley FC | 0 | 5 |
| Tarkowski, James | Burnley FC | 0 | 5 |
| Duffy, Shane | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0 | 5 |
| Lascelles, Jamaal | Newcastle United | 0 | 5 |
| Hayden, Isaac | Newcastle United | 0 | 5 |
| Bissouma, Yves | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0 | 5 |
| Firpo, Junior | Leeds United | 0 | 5 |
| Ward, Joel | Crystal Palace | 0 | 5 |
| Romeu, Oriol | Southampton FC | 0 | 5 |
| Player | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 8 |
| Alexander-Arnold, Trent | Liverpool FC | 8 |
| Jesus, Gabriel | Manchester City | 7 |
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 7 |
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 5 |
| James, Reece | Chelsea FC | 5 |
| Kovacic, Mateo | Chelsea FC | 5 |
| Robertson, Andy | Liverpool FC | 5 |
| Mount, Mason | Chelsea FC | 4 |
| Bowen, Jarrod | West Ham United | 4 |
| Saka, Bukayo | Arsenal FC | 4 |
| Doucoure, Abdoulaye | Everton FC | 4 |
| Cancelo, Joao | Manchester City | 4 |
| Redmond, Nathan | Southampton FC | 4 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 3 |
| Gallagher, Conor | Crystal Palace | 3 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 3 |
| Mahrez, Riyad | Manchester City | 3 |
| Maddison, James | Leicester City | 3 |
| Foden, Phil | Manchester City | 3 |