Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech has not been called up to the Morocco squad for the Africa Cup on Nations, meaning he will be available to face Liverpool in the Premier League next month.
AFCON has been shrouded in doubt due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, although it appears the tournament will take place in early 2022.
As a result, a number of the best African players from across European football's elite leagues will swap their domestic commitments for international ones and potentially miss some key games for their clubs.
Liverpool are set to lose Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita for the tournament, which officially kicks off on January 9.
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With the Reds set to visit Stamford Bridge on January 2, there are doubts as to whether that trio will be able to play in the game or be obligated to join up with their respective nations ahead of AFCON.
Chelsea would have also been worried about Ziyech potentially missing some games, but Morocco have made the call not to call-up the former Ajax star.
Morocco manager Vahid Halilhodzic has had a falling out with the Blues forward and despite Ziyech being comfortably the team's highest-profile player, the coach has opted against bringing him back into the fold.
Ziyech did not play in any of Morocco's six World Cup qualifying matches in 2021 and has not represented the team since a friendly in July.
While the 28-year-old has been far from a first-team regular for Chelsea this season, his availability will give them another high-class option at a busy part of the campaign.
Like Liverpool, the Blues will have a two-legged League Cup semi-final to negotiate in January, while Thomas Tuchel's side will also play in the Club World Cup following their Champions League success last season.
The Reds will definitely be without Andy Robertson for their first match of 2022, as the postponement of the Leeds United fixture on Boxing Day means the Scottish left-back's ban for the red card at Tottenham Hotspur will now cover the Chelsea game.
