January 2022 is supposed to see the Africa Cup of Nations take place in Cameroon as players from across the Premier League jet off to represent their countries.
Chelsea are set to lose number one goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to Senegal and Hakim Ziyech to Morocco, with the pair potentially missing five matches, depending on how well their respective nations do.
Liverpool are also set to be without talismanic attackers Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, as well as Naby Keita, while Pep Guardiola will have to make do without Riyad Mahrez at the Etihad.
However, reports on Wednesday morning suggested that the tournament could now be cancelled due to the growing spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
Tournament organisers insist that the showpiece is still set to go ahead but there is no doubt that players and managers will be looking on with interest over the coming weeks.
If it were to be cancelled, it would be another big blow to African football, with many of their nations already suffering more than most amid the pandemic.
But it is also likely to be viewed as a good thing by those clubs likely to lose key players, such as Chelsea.
When the news broke, however, many fans were more concerned with the boost it would hand title rivals Liverpool.
@CFC_Rids said: "Salah and Mane will stay too which is not an advantage."
@Zubindesign said: "Mendyyyy but then you realise salah mane stays as well."
@As3_wagwimi said: "Salah and Mane needs to leave."
@Theodor8471 said: "Which means Salah against Marcos Alonso."
@KM0707 said: "Liverpool winning the league then."
@Mountszn0 said: "Would actually rather it happen and take the Kepa risk, because other teams are losing a lot more then us."
@Footiebets1 said: "Congratulation on your league title Liverpool."
@OM_CFC said: "Liverpool might win the league."
