AFCON 2023: Jurgen Klopp jokes he wants quick exit for Mohamed Salah and Egypt from tournament

Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool are preparing for life without their best player, Mohamed Salah, for a few weeks as the forward heads to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Klopp spoke about losing Salah and Wataru Endo (2023 Asian Cup) and joked that he wants them to be knocked out early.

Liverpool face Arsenal in a mouth-watering FA Cup clash on Sunday, January 7, a game where they could've used Salah in a game they want to win.

Klopp wants Slah to return earlier than expected. The Egptian will miss four games, and it could be nine if his country excels in the tournament. If Egypt goes all the way to the final, Salah will miss crucial Premier League clashes against Arsenal and Chelsea, per This is Anfield.

The Egyptians have always done well in the competition, but the competition will be tough this time around, so it is hard to predict how far Egypt can go. Egypt reached the final in the previous competition.

Liverpool on Salah's AFCON

The German tactician delivered a tongue-in-cheek message to Salah and Endo but said he wants them to go win it.

"I said if I wish you good luck it would be a lie. From a personal point of view, I would not be overly unhappy if they went out in the group stage, but it is probably not possible.

"But no, it's fine, of course I would be happy for them to go on and win it. I said good luck and come back healthy - that is pretty much the words and that is it," via Eurosport.

The winger has been in superb form for the Reds this season after scoring 18 goals in 27 appearances in all competitions. He recently bagged a double in Liverpool's 4-2 win over Newcastle in the Premier League.