Salah and Marmoush are creating tension in the Premier League due to AFCON.
Egypt wants Salah and Marmoush to participate in the December 14th friendly; Man City will face Crystal Palace, Liverpool will play Brighton, and risk losing them for 7-8 matches if they progress further in AFCON.
Just a week before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicks off in Morocco, a club-national team conflict erupted: Coach Hossam Hassan demanded that Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush participate in the friendly match against Nigeria on December 14th, a time when Manchester City and Liverpool have packed Premier League schedules.
Key moment on December 13-14: Friendly matches overlapping with the Premier League schedule.
According to The Telegraph, Manchester City are likely to refuse to release Omar Marmoush for the friendly against Nigeria on December 14th, as it coincides with Pep Guardiola's away match against Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Marmoush recently scored in the 3-1 Carabao Cup victory against Swansea and is expected to play before joining the Egyptian national team immediately after the Palace game. This scenario would mean he would miss the Carabao Cup match against Brentford on December 16th.
At Liverpool, Mohamed Salah's situation is also unclear. The Reds face Brighton on December 13th, and it remains uncertain whether Salah will be allowed to participate in the friendly against Nigeria. Arne Slot will have to carefully weigh the club's interests against the Egyptian star's national duty.
A scenario of a prolonged absence if Egypt progresses further.
If Egypt progresses deep into AFCON, the impact on the personnel of the two Premier League title contenders will be significant. Marmoush could miss eight games for Man City, including crucial clashes against Chelsea and Man United. For Salah, Liverpool risk losing him for at least seven matches. Additionally, City will also be without Algerian left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri for the tournament.
Tactical perspective: losing the spearhead at a critical stage.
Liverpool and the dilemma without Salah.
Losing Salah would be a major blow for Liverpool. In the busy final stages of the year, he's a key attacking force and a game-changer. Not only is he a source of goals, but Salah also stretches the opposing defense and creates space for his teammates. Arne Slot will have to reconsider his approach to attacking down the right wing, allocate finishing responsibilities, and conserve the team's stamina against Brighton and in the upcoming matches.
Man City and the rotation problem with Marmoush
For Man City, the absence of Marmoush for the friendlies and the potential for a long stint at AFCON presents a challenge in rotating the squad at the right time given the packed fixture schedule. Any loss of players would affect the pressing rhythm, the depth of the squad for the Carabao Cup and the big Premier League matches.
Man City's reaction: respect for the team but will make adjustments.
Pep Guardiola maintained a calm but realistic attitude: “This tournament belongs to their respective countries, and when the time comes, they have to go. For now, I’m only thinking about the upcoming matches. If they can’t participate, we will adjust.”
He also emphasized the fierce competition in the Premier League, comparing it to the NBA: “I used to hear that in England, anyone could beat anyone. Perhaps Liverpool and we changed that with seasons nearing 100 points. But now, every team can spring a surprise – and that’s good for the viewers and for football.”
Selective statistics and timeframes
- December 14th: Egypt wants Salah and Marmoush to play in a friendly match against Nigeria.
- December 14th: Man City visits Crystal Palace (Premier League).
- December 13th: Liverpool vs. Brighton.
- December 16th: Carabao Cup, Man City vs Brentford – Marmoush may be absent.
- If Egypt progresses further: Marmoush could miss 8 matches (including Chelsea and Man United); Salah could miss at least 7 matches.
Summary of Human Resource Impact
| club | Player | Coincidental events | Possibility of absence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Man City | Omar Marmoush | December 14 Crystal Palace; December 16 Carabao Cup vs Brentford | There could be up to 8 matches if Egypt progresses further. |
| Liverpool | Mohamed Salah | December 13th vs Brighton | At least 7 matches if Egypt progresses further. |
| Man City | Rayan Aït-Nouri | AFCON | Absent during AFCON matches. |
The big picture
The Salah and Marmoussh saga is the prelude to a tense winter: clubs need points amidst a grueling fixture schedule, while national teams demand their strongest squads ahead of AFCON. The lines between self-interest and obligation continue to clash, and decisions made during the week of December 13-16 could shape the Premier League race right from this crucial stage.
