Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes are about to face their biggest obstacle yet – the Africa Cup of Nations.
Star man Mohamed Salah will be heading off on international duty with Egypt, with the Pharaohs out to avenge their final loss two years ago.
The forward has been at his best this season and his lasting influence was evident in Monday’s 4-2 win at home to Newcastle United.
So how will Liverpool cope without Salah? Who will step into his shoes? What will Jurgen Klopp do to adapt?
Shifting Harvey Elliott out wide is Liverpool’s best shot of replacing Salah like-for-like. Or as like-for-like as they can realistically get. You get the idea.
Elliott is the only attack-minded player who is naturally left-footed and he has played on the right in place of Salah during the Reds’ Europa League campaign. The main problem here is he might be needed in midfield with Wataru Endo off to the Asian Cup and Dominik Szoboszlai sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Potential lineups:
Elliott – Nunez – Diaz
Elliott – Jota – Diaz
Elliott – Gakpo – Diaz
One of Liverpool’s major strengths in their current guise has been their ability to chop and change forwards in search of scoring solutions.
Key to this has been the versatility of Cody Gakpo, who has played as a striker, left winger and midfielder already this season.
A comfortable technician and a creator as much as a direct goal threat, it could be worth Klopp’s time to start him from the right.
Potential lineups:
Gakpo – Nunez – Diaz
Gakpo – Jota – Diaz
Luis Diaz is the last true winger that Liverpool have available for selection, and even then he’s spent much of his Reds career coming inside into central areas.
The electrifying Colombian at least has the attributes to play on his natural right side. This would represent a slight change to the way Liverpool play, but without Salah that’s inevitable anyway.
Potential lineups:
Diaz – Nunez – Jota
Diaz – Nunez – Gakpo
If Liverpool are relying on the goals of Darwin Nunez to win the Premier League, they are probably going to fall short.
When Salah’s in the team, that’s fine. When he’s not, then there’s a real problem. Taking Nunez out of central areas and having him stretch defences with his pace and power might be his best use without the Egyptian there to help.
Potential lineups:
Nunez – Jota – Diaz
Nunez – Gakpo – Diaz
Nunez – Jota – Steel
