AFGONE

Egyptian star Salah could miss up to SEVEN games for the Reds as Prem bosses face spells without big stars

- NEIL MOXLEY

MO SALAH heads the list of mid-season absentees as Premier League bosses keep their collective fingers crossed for their players' safe return.

The Egyptian heads to the Ivory Coast this week for the Africa Cup of Nations - a competition which could see him miss up to seven games for Jurgen Klopp's side.

If his country is successful, the English top-flight's joint leading scorer will not feature for his club until a fixture at Brentford in mid-February, with boss Klopp contemplating reaching the Carabao Cup final and progressing in the FA Cup without him.

The hole left in Liverpool's frontline may not be as big if Egypt does not progress beyond the group stages as there are only two more league fixtures for the current leaders to play this month.