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Why Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah might not feature against Everton in FA Cup

The Reds face a massive FA Cup third round tie against Merseyside rivals Everton—but both Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah could miss out.

Liverpool will face the Toffees at Anfield on January 5, with the two sides having met—and drawn 1-1—in the Premier League just last week.

But one day earlier, both Mane and Salah are set to be in Ghana for the presentation of the CAF African Player of the Year award.

As revealed earlier, both have been shortlisted along with Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for the award.

The African continent equivalent of UEFA’s The Best award, it’s a prestigious title which would clearly honour the eventual winner, and it’s no surprise that both Liverpool attackers wish to be in attendance on the night.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 6, 2017: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring the seventh goal during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between Liverpool FC and FC Spartak Moscow at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

And it seems Liverpool are prepared to allow it, with the Echo reporting plans being put in place to jet the duo back in time for the match.

A 7,000-mile round trip is hardly ideal preparation for two of the most important attackers in the team, but Klopp’s side have shown in recent weeks how they can handle playing with a key player or two absent.

Salah scored a wondergoal in the Anfield derby which ended in a frustrating draw last week, and he has already claimed the title of the BBC African Player of the Year for 2017.

Scooping the CAF award and then jetting back to help the Reds beat Everton and progress in the cup would be the ideal scenario for January—for either one of Mane or Salah.

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