Mohamed Salah will soon leave Liverpool to play for his country in the African Cup of Nations, but Jurgen Klopp is certain his team can continue their Premier League title challenge.
Jürgen Klopp’s statement regarding Mohamed Salah’s departure for AFCON suggests that he plans…
Following Liverpool’s Premier League match against Newcastle on Monday, Salah will go to represent Egypt at the African Cup of Nations.
Liverpool is chasing its first championship since 2020 and is now two points ahead of Arsenal at the summit.
Salah’s absence could not come at a worse time, as they also play Arsenal in the FA Cup third round and Fulham in the League Cup semi-finals in January.
With 16 goals this season, he leads Liverpool in scoring. If Egypt advances far, his absence in the Ivory Coast might be more than a month.
creates a significant hole for Klopp to fill going into the competition.
“We had it even worse in the past when Sadio (Mane) and Mo left, but it is not the first time—it is a really at least very average situation that you lose your goalscorer,” Klopp said to reporters on Friday.
“We managed to get through it, but it was made worse by the fact that one of them usually advanced fairly far in the competition.”
Along with Salah’s departure, Klopp will also be absent Wataru Endo, a midfielder from Japan, as he competes in the Asia Cup.
“We were aware that Mo would occasionally need to go for the Africa Cup of Nations, and that Endo would also be competing in the Asia Cup,
so things are as they are. Klopp stated, “We have to and will deal with it.”
“Every long-term strategy I could have had is heavily contingent upon who is available. We would have answers by now, and perhaps we will after the Newcastle match as well.
Diogo Jota, a Portugal international who scored a comeback goal against Burnley on Boxing Day, is returning after missing a month due to injury.
Because of his versatility, Jota and Cody Gakpo can play anywhere in the forward line, and Harvey Elliott, who is more of a midfielder in Klopp’s style, has filled Salah’s role on the field.
Because of his versatility, Jota and Cody Gakpo can play anywhere in the forward line, and Harvey Elliott, who is more of a midfielder in Klopp’s style, has filled Salah’s role on the field.
“It is crucial that all of the lads return, but Diogo in particular. To be honest, I don’t think we had it that much, but everyone was really enthusiastic about our five alternatives,” Klopp remarked.
“These boys need to be able to rotate, especially with the amount of games we play, and with Mo and Endo leaving, we need everyone to return.”
But it now looks like Andy Robertson, the left-back for Liverpool, will miss the entire month of January while he heals from a dislocated shoulder.
The Scotland captain, who hasn’t played since October, is anticipated to play again in January.
“Robbo still requires additional shoulder range. It was a major surgery, obviously, and it’s still far from team training or anything else, Klopp remarked.
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