Egypt’s Bronze Medal Hopes Dim as Salah Faces Liverpool Reintegration Challenges

Egypt’s aspirations for a bronze medal were dashed early in the shootout against Nigeria, as both Mohamed Salah and Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush had their penalties dramatically saved by Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. Nigeria clinched victory with the final spot-kick, leaving the Pharaohs to settle for fourth place, their worst finish since 1984. Salah played an instrumental role in Egypt’s tournament journey, netting four goals in five matches prior to the semi-finals, but his last contribution was a saved penalty.

Salah won’t be criticized for taking his time returning to Anfield following a season marred by disappointment and a public fallout with Liverpool manager Arne Slot. The immediate challenge now lies in his reintegration into a Liverpool squad that has gone 11 consecutive matches unbeaten in all competitions during his absence, stabilizing after a tumultuous period that included Salah’s accusation that Slot had “thrown him under the bus.” Recently, the Reds have drawn their fourth consecutive league game, held to a stalemate at Anfield by relegation-threatened Burnley.

While a line has been drawn following clear-the-air discussions, it remains uncertain whether Salah will re-enter the starting lineup immediately or if he will need to earn his place back—a situation that may not sit well with a player accustomed to starting every game. However, a series of injuries, including one to striker Alexander Isak, may necessitate his swift return to the squad. Before departing for AFCON, Salah had recorded four goals and three assists in 14 Premier League appearances, a slight decline from his typically prolific performance.

The ongoing speculation surrounding his long-term future, with a contract set to expire in the summer of 2027 and links to the Saudi Pro League, adds further complexity to his eagerly awaited return.

Ahead of Egypt’s bronze medal match on Friday, Slot commented: “First of all, he needs to play another big game for Egypt on Saturday, and then he comes back to us. I am pleased that he is returning. Mo has been crucial for this club and for me, so I am happy he is back. Even if I had 15 attackers, I would still be glad to have him, but that is not our current situation. We are discussing the upcoming Marseille game now and what is expected of him in both contexts. However, he must first have an important game on Saturday before he returns next week.”

Salah’s placement on the bench and usage as an unused substitute during several matches before AFCON sparked considerable controversy. While Liverpool certainly needs his reinforcements, Wednesday’s Champions League fixture against Marseille may arrive too soon for him after he played nearly 600 minutes for Egypt during the tournament. If the match proves too early for his return, Salah may rejoin the squad for Liverpool’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth over the weekend.