Liverpool will move closer to finding out how long they’ll be without Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita this week as the Africa Cup of Nations group stages come to an end.
Senegal and Guinea both take part in their final group game on Tuesday evening against Malawi and Zimbabwe respectively, while Egypt host Sudan on Wednesday looking to progress in the tournament.
The top two sides in each group progress to the knockout stages, with the four best third-placed sides also advancing in the tournament.
Guinea and Senegal are guaranteed a top three finish from Group B and currently occupy first and second spot respectively, one point ahead of Malawi.
With both boasting four points as it stands, even if one of them finished third they would still be likely to qualify as one of the best ranked third-placed sides.
Meanwhile, Egypt currently sit second in Group D but are not yet assured of finishing in the top three.
However, having beaten Guinea-Bissau in their last game, they too are well-placed to progress even if they finish third.
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With the final group games taking place on Thursday, Salah, Mane and Keita will all miss Liverpool 's League Cup semi-final second leg clash with Arsenal on the same day.
However, if any of Egypt, Senegal or Guinea suffer a group-stage exit, then they could return for the Reds' trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday 23 January.
With the Premier League then taking a two-week break, should any of the nations progress then Liverpool's FA Cup fourth round clash with Cardiff City on February 6 is perhaps a more likely match for their return.
The tie with the Bluebirds takes place the same day as both the Africa Cup of Nations final and third place play-off, meaning if any of the trio reach the semi-finals, they will miss facing Cardiff with the Reds’ home clash with Leicester City on February 10 instead the first game they would be available for for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
The round-of-16 matches take place between January 23 and January 26, while the quarter-finals take place on January 29 and January 30, at which Liverpool will know for certain when their Africa trio will be returning to Anfield and be available for selection once again.
