Mohamed Salah overlooked for prestigious award as Liverpool uncertainty continues

Mohamed Salah has been for the first time since 2017 in a major blow to the Egyptian.

The two-time winner hasn't won the prestigious accolade since 2018 but has placed in the top three each year on the last five occasions, most recently finishing in third-place in the 2023 edition.

However, and starting the new campaign on fire for Liverpool, has failed to be named in this year's 10-player shortlist.

The Egyptian has 16 goals and 13 assists for so far this calendar year and despite also winning silverware with the Reds in the form of last season's , has been left out of the running for the award.

Instead, the likes of Simon Adingra, Borussia Dortmund's Serhou Guirassy, Achraf Hakimi and Atalanta's Ademola Lookman are in line to lift the coveted trophy.

Also nominated for Africa's Footballer of the Year award are Amine Gouiri (Rennes), Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen), Chancel Mbemba (Marseille), Soufiane Rahimi (Al Ain), William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood), and Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns).

The winner of the African Player of the Year award will be announced on Monday, December 16th in Marrakech, Morocco and covers the period between January 2024 and October 2024.

However, Salah will not be present at the awards evening for the first time in almost a decade, something that will surely damage the 32-year-old's pride after excelling in recent years.

It also comes amid the Liverpool star's , in which he will leave Anfield on a free transfer upon the expiry of his contract as things stand.

The Egyptian is yet to decide where his long-term future lies and to get him to move to the Middle East, while .