Return dates for Prem stars revealed after AFCON quarter-finals – with Salah confirmed to miss key Liverpool match

Liverpool, City and United get their stars back this month

However, some Premier League stars remain in Morocco for the most nail-biting part of the competition, which concludes with the January 18 final.

Following Egypt’s 3-2 win over Ivory Coast on Saturday’s quarter-final at the Africa Cup of Nations, Liverpool now have a clearer picture of when Mohamed Salah is expected to return to action.

“The Egyptian King” essentially scored the Pharaoh’s match winner in the quarter-final against Ivory Coast and was awarded man of the match, and will now face former Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane and Senegal in the semi-final.

Salah certain to miss Premier League fixture in the weekend

Salah and Egypt will remain in Morocco for a third-place play-off which is to take place on Saturday, January 17, if they lose to Senegal in the semi-final.

In the case of victory, Egypt will then play in the final on Sunday, January 18, against the winner of the Nigeria – Morocco semi-final.

This means that Salah will miss Liverpool’s clash against Burnley in the Premier League next weekend.

However, the Egypt captain can return to action for Liverpool against Marseille in the Champions League.

The match in France will be played on Wednesday, January 21, three days after AFCON has concluded.

If Egypt is triumphant and takes the trophy home, however, the celebrations could delay Salah’s return, which means his first game could likely be the trip to Bournemouth on Saturday, 24 January.

Salah teammate at Egypt and Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush will miss the Manchester derby on January 17 as a result of AFCON, however the 26-year-old could return for the Champions League clash on January 20 against Bodø/Glimt.

Manchester United get their stars back after Cameroon and Ivory Coast AFCON exits

Bryan Mbeumo is on his way back to Old Trafford after Cameroon were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations by hosts Morocco on Friday.

The forward has missed five games for Manchester United as a result of the tournament, however, interim United coach Darren Fletcher confirmed that Mbeumo will not take part in Sunday's match against Brighton in the FA Cup.

Speaking about whether the 26-year-old would be available for selection, the interim head coach said: “I don't think so. I think it's too close a turnaround, so we'll have the same players available for the game as we had against Burnley.”

Ivory Coast were also beaten in the quarter-finals by Egypt, which means that Amad is set to return to the north west in the coming days, although he will also miss Sunday's FA Cup clash.

United will turn their attention to the Manchester Derby on home soil come Saturday, January 17, following their FA Cup tie with Brighton.