Liverpool look set to lose three-star players in January 2022 as the rearranged African Cup of Nations takes place in Cameroon.
Sadio Mane, Naby Keita and Mohamed Salah will all likely report for duty for Senegal, Guinea and Egypt respectively when the tournament gets underway on January 9 2022.
Following the draw for the group stages, Keita and Mane have been drawn to face one another on matchday two.
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Reds’ winger Mane will be hoping to go one better with Senegal this time after losing out to Algeria in the final during the 2019 incarnation of the competition.
The 29-year-old was named African Football of the Year in the same year, whilst both Salah and Keita are yet to lift either the AFCON title or the individual honour.
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This meeting will no doubt create increased intrigue for Kopites in a tournament supporters often dread.
Placed in the heart of the season when Jurgen Klopp will be hoping to be readying the side for a Premier League title run-in as well as the deep rounds of domestic and European competitions – most fans will be hoping Keita and Mane can avoid each other at all costs.
Realistically the participation of the Liverpool stars should mean all three nations enjoy a fruitful campaign – albeit hopefully not at the expense of success on Merseyside.
