Liverpool may not be in action on Boxing Day but supporters can watch Mohamed Salah play on UK TV for free as Egypt face South Africa at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Salah will hope to play a key role at this year’s AFCON, which runs from December 21 to the final on January 18.

While his time away means Liverpool are without one of their most important players – regardless of his recent exile – for an extended period, it does give supporters an opportunity to watch football.

In fact, while Liverpool are not playing on Boxing Day as is tradition in the UK, Salah’s Egypt will be shown live on free TV.

How to watch Mo Salah & Egypt at AFCON on UK TV

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will air exclusively onChannel 4and their streaming services in the UK, including all three of Egypt’s games in Group B.

Egypt’s AFCON fixtures on Channel 4

Egypt vs. Zimbabwe– 8pm, Dec 22 – 4Seven / Streaming
Egypt vs. South Africa– 3pm, Dec 26 – Channel 4
Angola vs. Egypt– 4pm, Dec 29 – 4Seven / Streaming

It means Salah will be live on terrestrial TV on Boxing Day, with a prime 3pm slot clashing with Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (BBC One), The Italian Job (BBC Two) and the Bullseye Christmas Special (ITV1).

Egypt are favourites to top Group B and progress to the knockout stages, which take place on the following dates:

•Round of 16– Jan 3/4/5
•Quarter-Finals– Jan 9/10
•Semi-Finals:Jan 14
•Third-Placed Playoff:Jan 17
•Final:Jan 18

Which Liverpool games will Salah miss for AFCON?

Salah will miss a minimum of three games for Liverpool while away at AFCON, those being:

•Tottenham (A)– Premier League – Dec 20
•Wolves (H)– Premier League – Dec 27
•Leeds (H)– Premier League – Jan 1

The 33-year-old could also be absent for a further five games including the FA Cup third-round clash with Barnsley:

•AFCON Round of 16 – Jan 3/4/5
•Fulham (A)– Premier League – Jan 4
•Arsenal (A)– Premier League – Jan 8
•AFCON Quarter-Finals – Jan 9/10
•Barnsley (H)– FA Cup – Jan 12
•AFCON Semi-Finals: Jan 14
•AFCON Third-Placed Playoff: Jan 17
•Burnley (H)– Premier League – Jan 17
•AFCON Final: Jan 18
•Marseille (A)– Champions League – Jan 21

Salah is Egypt’s all-time second-top goalscorer, netting 61 times in 107 appearances so far, with eight taking him to top.

The current record-holder is Hossam Hassan, who netted 68 in 176 games for his country and is now Salah’s national team coach.

If Salah features in all three of Egypt’s group games he will move into their all-time top 10 for caps, overtaking Abdelzaher El Saka and Ismail Youssef into ninth.