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While the future of Mohamed Salah at Liverpool hangs in the balance, Egypt teammates have rallied behind the national team captain ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The record seven-time continental champions are in Group B with Angola, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, and will be based in the southern coastal city of Agadir throughout the first round.

“Players like him do not get benched,” said striker Ahmed “Kouka” Hassan on social media, referring to Salah being a substitute in the last three Liverpool fixtures, and coming on only once.

“If he starts on the bench, you must make sure he is the first to come on, after 60 minutes, 65 at the latest.

“Mo is not just a teammate, he is a leader, a legend for club and country. Keep working hard, brother. Every situation in life is temporary; moments like this pass, what stays is your greatness.”

Head coach and former star Hossam Hassan posted a photograph of himself and Salah and a message: “Always a symbol of perseverance and strength.”

“The greatest Liverpool legend of all time,” wrote winger Ahmed “Zizo” El Sayed. Goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhy called Salah “always the best”.

Liverpool have struggled in their title defence this season and lie 10th after 15 rounds, 10 points behind leaders Arsenal. Salah has also battled with just four goals in 13 top-flight appearances.

After twice surrendering the lead in a 3-3 draw at Leeds United last Saturday, Salah told reporters, “It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus”.

“I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame (for the slump)… someone does not want me in the club.”

Salah was omitted from the squad that travelled to Milan for a Champions League clash with Inter on Tuesday and has hinted that he may not play for Liverpool again.

READ ALSO: World Record Winning Streak Sets Up Morocco For AFCON Challenge

 ‘Great feeling’ 

Saudi Arabia says it will do “whatever it can” to recruit Salah during the mid-season transfer window, a Public Investment Fund (PIF) source in the kingdom told AFP.

Although Egypt last won the AFCON 15 years ago in Luanda, Salah, 33, believes they will lift the trophy again before he retires.

“It will happen — that is what I believe. It is a great feeling every time you step on the field wearing the Egyptian colours.”

Salah has suffered much heartbreak in four AFCON tournaments as Egypt twice finished runners-up and twice exited in the round of 16.

He created the goal that put the Pharaohs ahead in the 2017 final, but Cameroon clawed back to win 2-1 in Libreville.

Hosts and title favourites Egypt were stunned by South Africa in the first knockout round two years later, conceding a late goal to lose 1-0.

Egypt reached the final again in 2022, only to lose on penalties to Senegal after 120 goalless minutes in Yaounde.

In the Ivory Coast last year, Salah suffered a hamstring injury against Ghana and took no further part in the tournament. Egypt lost on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo in a last-16 clash.

This year, Egypt boast an array of attacking talent with Salah, Omar Marmoush from Manchester City, Mostafa Mohamed of Nantes, and Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan and Zizo from Cairo giants Al Ahly.

Group B is the only one of the six in Morocco featuring two qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, with Egypt and South Africa heading to the global showpiece in North America.

South Africa exceeded expectations by finishing third at the 2024 AFCON, but Belgian coach Hugo Broos expects a tougher campaign in a tournament that kicks off on December 21.

“It will be harder because every opponent will be more motivated to beat us after our bronze medals,” said the tactician who guided Cameroon to the 2017 AFCON title.

Angola and Zimbabwe recently changed coaches, with France-born Patrice Beaumelle and Romanian Mario Marinica hired.

The Angolans have reached the quarter-finals three times, including last year, while the Zimbabweans have never gone beyond the first round.

Charles De Ketelaere inspired Atalanta’s stirring fightback to beat Chelsea 2-1 in the Champions League as the Blues’ winless run extended to four matches on Tuesday.

Joao Pedro’s first-ever Champions League goal put Chelsea ahead in the first half in Bergamo.

But the Blues lost their momentum after the interval and former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca grabbed the equaliser before De Ketelaere, who provided the assist for Atalanta’s leveller, capped his influential display with the late winner.

Chelsea found it impossible to subdue Belgium forward De Ketelaere, who has six goals and seven assists in his last 12 Champions League appearances.

Since their memorable 3-0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League on November 25, Chelsea have gone four matches without a victory in all competitions.

Enzo Maresca’s 11th-placed side have 10 points from six league phase games and their bid for a top eight finish — which guarantees automatic qualification for the last 16 — is now on a knife-edge.

Chelsea’s last two matches are in January at home against Pafos and away to Napoli.

Third-placed Atalanta have enjoyed wins over Club Brugge, Marseille, Eintracht Frankfurt and Chelsea this season as they chase a last 16 berth.

Maresca made five changes from Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Bournemouth in the Premier League, with Cole Palmer rested after his return last weekend from a two-month injury absence.

There was no place for Chelsea’s emerging teenage star Estevao, who has three Champions League goals this season and starred against Barcelona.

 Lethargic Chelsea

Maresca’s reshuffled line-up nearly fell behind inside five minutes when Ademola Lookman weaved into the area for a cross that deflected off Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez before it was hacked to safety.

Chelsea struggled to find their rhythm early on and when Enzo Fernandez worked a sight of goal, the midfielder blazed wildly over.

Lookman was a thorn in Chelsea’s side and it took a last-ditch block from Josh Acheampong to deny the former Everton winger, with the rebound curled just over by Marten de Roon.

Acheampong roared and clenched his fists in celebration of his goal-saving intervention.

And Chelsea made the most of that escape to take the lead in the 25th minute.

When Joao Pedro deftly slotted in Reece James’ cross from four yards, the goal was initially disallowed for offside before a VAR check ruled in favour of the Chelsea forward.

It was only Joao Pedro’s third goal for Chelsea in his last 16 games in all competitions.

James should have doubled Chelsea’s lead when he smashed just wide from the edge of the area early in the second half.

It was a crucial miss and Atalanta made James pay as they drew level in the 55th minute.

De Ketelaere’s cross to the far post caught Chelsea’s defenders flat-footed and Scamacca made a perfectly timed run to head home from close range.

Scamacca almost punished Chelsea’s sloppy marking again moments later with a glancing header that Sanchez saved at full stretch.

Maresca responded to Chelsea’s lethargy by sending on Alejandro Garnacho, who forced an immediate save from Marco Carnesecchi.

Liverpool bounced back from a damaging row with Mohamed Salah by beating Inter Milan 1-0 on Tuesday and kicking their Champions League campaign back into life.

READ ALSO: Kounde Double Helps Barcelona Claim Frankfurt Comeback Win

Dominik Szoboszlai’s late penalty gave the Reds a huge win at the San Siro in the absence of Egypt star Salah, who was left in England after publicly criticising manager Arne Slot at the weekend.

Unlikely goalscoring hero Jules Kounde bagged two headers to help Barcelona beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 on Tuesday in the Champions League and bolster the club’s chances of a top eight league phase finish.

Ansgar Knauff sent the visitors into a surprise lead but French defender Kounde’s brace early in the second half put last season’s semi-finalists in control.

In the club’s first Champions League match back at Camp Nou since 2022, they gained revenge against a Frankfurt side who humiliated them in the Europa League in that same year.

The Bundesliga team packed the Camp Nou with their own fans and knocked Barca out of that competition at one of their lowest ebbs under Xavi Hernandez.

With a domestic treble and a run to the final four of the Champions League, Xavi’s successor Hansi Flick has changed the mood around Barca, but this season the team have struggled at times.

Defeats by Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain left Barca in a difficult position in Europe, but by beating Frankfurt they are still hopeful of avoiding the play-off round.

Barcelona controlled the opening period, pinning the visitors, who lost 6-0 against RB Leipzig on Saturday in the Bundesliga, back in their own territory.

Veteran striker Robert Lewandowski put the ball in the net but it was ruled out for an offside earlier in the move.

Despite their dominant start, the Catalans fell behind after 21 minutes, caught out by a rapid Frankfurt counter-attack.

Lamine Yamal dribbled into trouble and Nathaniel Brown surged forward from the back before dropping a ball in behind Barca’s high defensive line for Knauff to charge on to.

Gerard Martin tried and failed to intercept it with a flick of the leg and the German striker held off Alejandro Balde before finishing neatly.

Frankfurt defenders scrambled to block a Fermin Lopez effort, as Barca struggled to create clear openings.

Teenage star Yamal could not find a way past Brown in one of his more erratic outings for Barca.

Ellyes Skhiri slammed a shot just over the bar as Frankfurt missed a good chance to extend their lead before half-time, and it came to cost them.

Barcelona came out all guns blazing in the second half and were helped by the introduction of on-loan Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford.

The England international teed up Raphinha, who blazed over, before whipping in a cross for Kounde to head home in the 50th minute.

The French defender, who has particularly struggled this season, was Barcelona’s hero against Frankfurt as he grabbed his second of the night three minutes later.

Yamal slung in a high, looping cross which Kounde nodded back across goal and in at the far post.

Unable to procure a third goal to kill off the game, Barca had to sweat through the final stages but Frankfurt did not come close to finding an equaliser.

Gabriel Jesus has been added to Arsenal’s Champions League squad as the Brazil striker steps up his long-awaited return from injury.

Jesus has not played for Arsenal since January after suffering a knee injury during an FA Cup tie against Manchester United.

The 28-year-old is back in training and has been an unused substitute for the Gunners’ recent matches against Chelsea and Brentford.

With Arsenal’s teenage winger Max Dowman picking up an ankle injury in an under-21 match last weekend, Jesus has been elevated to the Champions League squad in time for Wednesday’s clash with Club Brugge in Belgium.

READ ALSO: Salah Trains In Liverpool As Saudis Plan Winter Transfer Move

“Gabriel Jesus has replaced Max Dowman on our UEFA A list with immediate effect. Therefore, Gabby is eligible to play in our match against Club Brugge in Belgium on Wednesday night,” a statement on Arsenal’s website said.

Jesus’s return is a boost to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta after injuries to Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz forced him to use Spain midfielder Mikel Merino as his central striker.

Arsenal are top of the Premier League despite last weekend’s loss to Aston Villa and are also in pole position in the Champions League group phase after five successive wins in the tournament.

Mohamed Salah reported for Liverpool training on Tuesday as doubts grow about the star’s future at the Premier League champions with Saudi clubs intent on making a move for the striker in the winter transfer window.

The 33-year-old Egypt forward was left out of Liverpool’s squad for their Champions League tie at Inter Milan on Tuesday following his extraordinary public criticism of Reds manager Arne Slot after he was left on the bench for the third consecutive game.

Salah said after the 3-3 draw with Leeds on Sunday that he felt like he had been “thrown under the bus” by Liverpool and no longer had a relationship with Slot, sparking reports that Liverpool’s third-highest goalscorer in history could be on his way out of Anfield in January despite signing a lucrative new contract in April.

He posted a picture of himself training alone in Liverpool’s weights room on Tuesday.

Salah’s outburst has piqued interest in Saudi Arabia with a source at the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) telling AFP it will do “whatever it can” to buy him.

“We follow Salah’s position thoroughly and believe there can be a move either by loan or buying his contract,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

READ ALSO: Real Madrid’s Mbappe Misses Training Ahead Of Man City Clash

Asked at a pre-match press conference in Milan on Monday whether Salah, who has scored 250 times for Liverpool since signing from Roma in 2017, had played his last game for the Reds, Slot replied: “I have no clue.”

“He has every right to feel what he feels, but he doesn’t have the right to share it with the media,” Slot added.

The Saudi source told AFP there were “no direct negotiations or talks with the club at the moment but there will be a move at the right moment”.

The PIF source said the Gulf monarchy wanted to sign the Egyptian winger in January to join stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League.

PIF holds a 75 percent share in Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad, but the source said it was not alone in wanting the Arab world’s biggest football star.

“There is a competition inside the Saudi league who will bring Salah,” the source said, adding that the Al Qadsiah club backed by Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil and gas company Aramco was also keen.

Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr, Salah’s former Liverpool team-mate Darwin Nunez is at Al-Hillal, another former Premier League player of the season N’Golo Kante is at Al-Ittihad, but Salah is the biggest star from an Arab country along with Paris Saint-Germain’s Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi.

Salah, who was not even used as a substitute at Elland Road, is set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations after next weekend’s home Premier League match against Brighton.

He said he was “very, very disappointed” to have again been named among the substitutes at Leeds, adding: “I got a lot of promises in the summer and so far I am on the bench for three games so I can’t say they keep the promise.

“I said many times before that, I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden we don’t have any relationship.

‘Massive impact on Saudi League’

“I don’t know why but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn’t want me in the club.”

Salah made his explosive comments in the midst of a dismal season for both him and Liverpool.

He has played a key role in Liverpool’s two Premier League titles and one Champions League triumph during his iconic spell on Merseyside.

But he has been a shadow of his former self during Liverpool’s struggles this season — the title-holders are 10th in the Premier League — with just four goals in 13 top-flight appearances.

“All players have their ups and downs. Salah is just 33 and has a lot to do here,” insisted the PIF source.

“Salah is a beloved footballer around the globe and will have a massive impact on the Saudi League both on and off the pitch.”