---
title: "Virals: Liverpool stars drawn together in AFCON group stages"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/virals-liverpool-stars-drawn-together-in-afcon-group-stages/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-08-18T12:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-08-18T12:00:00Z"
---

# Virals: Liverpool stars drawn together in AFCON group stages

[Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/08/18/virals-andy-robertson-makes-early-steps-towards-fitness/) 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](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/08/12/otd-liverpool-goal-machine-mohamed-salah-opens-reds-account/) will all likely report for duty for Senegal, Guinea and Egypt respectively when the [tournament gets underway](https://talksport.com/football/724750/africa-cup-of-nations-delayed-2022-coronavirus-premier-league/) on January 9 2022.

Following the draw for the group stages, Keita and Mane have been drawn to [face one another](https://www.skysports.com/africa-cup-of-nations-fixtures) on matchday two.

> Twitter: Here’s the full draw for next year’s AFCON in Cameroon ![👇](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/svg/1f447.svg)![👇](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/svg/1f447.svg)![👇](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/svg/1f447.svg)
>
> \#FARPost https://t.co/FK3UyaULxy (@FARPostZA)

Reds’ winger Mane will be hoping to go one better with Senegal this time after [losing out to Algeria in the final](https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2019/jul/19/senegal-v-algeria-africa-cup-of-nations-2019-final-live) during the 2019 incarnation of the competition.

The 29-year-old was named [African Football of the Year](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sadio-mane/erfolge/spieler/200512) in the same year, whilst both Salah and Keita are yet to lift either the AFCON title or the individual honour.

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

This meeting will no doubt create [increased intrigue](https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/jan/27/the-joy-of-six-africa-cup-of-nations-memorable-moments) 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](https://www.premierleague.com/news/2171434) 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.