MANCHESTER, England (AP) — mohamed salah He will be out for up to a month and Liverpool lose their position as the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer.
Manchester United have lost their most powerful attacking team Brian Mbeumoalong with two more important people.
They cannot compare to Sunderland, a promoted team that surpasses their ability in England’s top flight. The team was devastated by the loss of six players.
The African Cup of Nations has had a huge impact on the Premier League, with some of the Premier League’s biggest stars heading to the mid-season tournament. And this weekend is the first round of games the team will have to play without those players.
It is unfortunate that AFCON can be seen as a nuisance for many clubs in Europe, although international football in general can be seen that way when it conflicts with a club’s title-winning ambitions. But at least the World Cup, European Championship and Copa America are held during the off-season of Europe’s top leagues.
AFCON is traditionally held in January and February, but this year it has been brought forward from Sunday to January 18, meaning less disruption for the Spanish, German and French leagues, which have winter breaks of varying lengths between December and January.
However, the Premier League will also compete over the Christmas and New Year holidays, adding FA Cup tensions to one of the busiest periods of the season.
Teams like Liverpool and United should have enough depth in their squad to cope with the loss of key players such as Salah and Mbeumo. However, it could have a huge impact on Sunderland, who are just two points off the top four despite their impressive start to the season.
Artur Masuaku, Noah Sadiki, Bertrand Traore, Habib Diarra, Kemzuddin Talbi and Reinild Mandava are all taking part in the Africa Cup in Morocco.
Sunderland are an anomaly with so many participants in the tournament, but for Crystal Palace, the loss of just one player, Ismaila Sarr, could potentially be significant given his importance to the team. Similarly, Brighton will be without key midfielder Carlos Baleva.
Burnley, second from bottom in the table, lost three players, as did Fulham.
It is worth noting that leaders Arsenal do not have any players to play in AFCON, with Aston Villa and Chelsea also challenging for the title, and the result could be known next month.
Premier League players take part in AFCON
Brentford: Dango Ouattara (Burkina Faso), Frank Onyeka (Nigeria)
Brighton: Carlos Baleva (Cameroon)
Burnley: Axel Tuanzebe (DRC), Hannibal Meibry (Tunisia), Lyle Foster (South Africa)
Crystal Palace: Ismaila Sarr (Senegal)
Everton: Idrissa Gana Gueye (Senegal), Iliman Ndiay (Senegal)
Fulham: Calvin Bassey (Nigeria), Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria), Alex Iwobi (Nigeria)
Liverpool: Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Manchester City: Rayan Ait Nouri (Algeria), Omar Marmoush (Egypt)
Manchester United: Brian Mbeumo (Cameroon), Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast), Nousser Mazraoui (Morocco)
Nottingham Forest: Willy Boly (Ivory Coast), Ibrahim Sangare (Ivory Coast)
Sunderland: Arthur Masuaku (Democratic Republic of Congo), Noah Sadiki (Democratic Republic of Congo), Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso), Habib Diarra (Senegal), Kemsuddin Talbi (Morocco), Reinild Mandava (Mozambique)
Tottenham Hotspur: Yves Bissouma (Mali), Papu Matar Sarr (Senegal)
West Ham United: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (DRC), El Hadj Malik Diouf (Senegal)
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Emmanuel Agbadu (Ivory Coast), Tawanda Chirewa (Zimbabwe)
major matches
On Saturday, first-placed Arsenal play Everton, while second-placed City play at home to West Ham. Liverpool will be aiming for their first consecutive league win since September, when the defending champions face Tottenham.
Aston Villa and United face each other on Sunday.
Featured players
Hugo Ekitike has scored four goals in the last two league games. Salah’s appearance at AFCON will allow Liverpool’s other forwards to establish themselves without the noise that has surrounded the Anfield icon in recent weeks, when his future was in doubt.
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American international Tyler Adams suffered a suspected MCL injury in his left knee during Bournemouth’s 4-4 draw with United on Monday. Chelsea forward Estevao has a minor muscle problem, manager Enzo Maresca said. Everton are monitoring Jack Grealish’s possible hamstring problem.
off the field
Further protests are expected at the bottom of the table, Wolves.
Wolves, who are bottom of the table and are certain to be relegated, will equal Sheffield United’s record of 17 games without a win since the start of the 2020-21 season unless they can beat Brentford at home on Saturday.
There were protests at Wolves’ final home game this month against Manchester United, and despite a spirited performance against Arsenal last week, Rob Edwards’ side remain 14 points from safety.
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