Why Mohamed Salah is on the bench at AFCON after Liverpool fallout

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Mohamed Salah's Egypt plays its final group game today at the Africa Cup of Nations, although the Liverpool winger has had to make do with a place on the substitutes' bench

Mohamed Salah was named on the bench for Egypt's final AFCON group game (Image: Getty Images)

Mohamed Salah finds himself on the bench once again today — although in much less dramatic circumstances following his recent fallout at Liverpool.

The 33-year-old is, of course, currently away at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco as he searches for his first continental title with Egypt. The Pharaohs have made a perfect start to their campaign, winning their opening games against Zimbabwe and South Africa, with Salah scoring the winner in each.

Egypt takes on Angola in its final group game today, although Salah has been named on the bench by Hossam Hassan.

There has been no indication ahead of the game that Salah is carrying an injury of any sort, with the winger having been seen with his teammates ahead of kick-off at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir.

It is almost certainly a case of the Liverpool star being rested then, with Egypt having already secured their safe passage through to the last 16 after the Boxing Day win over South Africa.

The Pharaohs are also guaranteed to go through as group winners. Tie-breakers during the group stages are first decided on head-to-head records, and with South Africa the only team able to draw level with Egypt’s tally of six points, Salah’s side is certain to finish top of Group B.

Mohamed Salah waves as he arrives ahead of Egypt's game against Angola(Image: Getty Images)

Today’s game is therefore effectively a dead rubber for them. Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush has also been named on the bench, which gives a good insight into Hassan’s thinking ahead of the knockout stages.

We shouldn’t expect any sort of outburst from Salah again then after his fallout at Liverpool earlier this month. The winger launched an extraordinary tirade against his club and head coach Arne Slot after being named on the bench for three straight games, in which he accused the Reds of throwing him “under the bus”.

He was subsequently dropped from the squad entirely for the Champions League encounter with Inter Milan, before being restored to the bench against Brighton — a game he suggested could be his last for the club.

Whether that will be the case remains to be seen, with Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes reportedly set to meet with Salah’s agent Ramy Abbas while the player is away on international duty.

When Salah will return to Liverpool is unknown at the moment, although he is certain to miss at least two more of the Reds’ games.

Having secured top spot in Group B, Egypt’s last-16 tie will take place on Jan. 5, meaning Salah will be away for Liverpool’s upcoming games against Leeds on Jan. 1 and Fulham on Jan. 4.