Liverpool were dealt the huge blow yesterday that they must prepare next season potentially for the loss of three key players as it fights on several fronts at one of the busiest times of the season.
Cameroon, host of the 2021 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, confirmed the tournament would be played in its former January and February slot next year, citing the extreme weather conditions in the country during the summer months.
Last year, reforms saw the tournament, hosted by Egypt, played out at the the end of the season, in June and July.
Historically, clubs had known that they would lose African players to the tournament in January and February but were offered relief under those reforms.
Now they must again make other preparations - and no Premier League club is set to be harder hit than Liverpool.
Two of their front three will go, the Egyptian Mohamed Salah and Senegalese Sadio Mane, as well as Guinean Naby Keita.
And in a fresh blow to the club, the ECHO have learned Liverpool are unlikely to receive any form of financial compensation for the loss of these key players.
For events like the World Cup and European Championships, a certain portion of revenues earned through the tournaments are distributed back to clubs.
In 2018, Liverpool were handed $2.59million (£2million) under FIFA's Club Benefits Programme for the 2018 World Cup - part of $37.4million paid to English FA clubs.
But sources close to the club say that the Reds historically had never received any money for players at the Africa Cup of Nations, making it unlikely any payment will be handed out this time.
The ECHO have contacted FIFA for comment.
