The 2021 African Cup of Nations has become the latest competition to suffer in the wake of the global pandemic. Originally scheduled for January and February next year, organisers have seen fit to postpone the tournament until 2022.
Having previously been played out in the summer months, the tournament had been switched back to the winter in search of cooler conditions, a move which looked set to leave Premier League clubs without their African stars during one of the busiest periods of the next season.
The postponement is a major boost for the Reds, who would have lost Mohamed Salah, Naby Keita and Sadio Mane for the duration of their runs in the tournament.
Joel Matip’s Cameroon will host the rearranged AFCON, however, the defender has retired from international duty.
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We have heard in recent days that Liverpool’s transfer activity could be limited due to the uncertainty of the financial climate caused by the impact of the pandemic, making the news even more welcome to Jurgen Klopp, as he won’t be without a trio of stars for up to six weeks in the middle of the next campaign.
By the time the tournament comes around once more, Klopp will have had more than enough time to plan for the potential absence of his African stars, perhaps with a better financial landscape in which to bring in adequate replacements.
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