Liverpool faces the prospect of navigating a challenging period without the services of Mohamed Salah due to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Egyptian forward has been instrumental for the Reds, contributing either with goals or assists in almost every game this season, leading to concerns about the impact of his absence.
Depending on Egypt’s performance in the AFCON, Salah may not return until February, potentially missing crucial fixtures for Liverpool.
If Egypt progresses far in the tournament, Salah could be absent for Premier League matches against Bournemouth and Arsenal, home games against Chelsea and Burnley, and both legs of the EFL Cup semifinals against Fulham.
The absence of Salah puts the spotlight on Liverpool’s other forwards, who have faced inconsistencies in recent weeks.
Luis Diaz, who faced a goal drought, has not scored in the league since November 5. Nunez had an eight-game goalless streak before finding the net against Burnley, and Cody Gakpo has not scored since September 30.
Liverpool’s competitiveness in the league has heavily relied on Salah’s brilliance, and his potential absence raises questions about whether other forwards can step up to fill the void.
Nunez and Jota’s goals on Boxing Day were a positive sign, but the upcoming fixtures, especially against Newcastle United on New Year’s Day, will test Liverpool’s attacking depth.
The concern is not only about Salah’s prolific scoring but also his ability to guide the team through challenging periods.
Liverpool will need consistent contributions from the entire forward line to maintain their strong position in the Premier League, especially with Europa League commitments adding to the fixture load.
As Liverpool prepares for Salah’s potential long-month departure, manager Jurgen Klopp will be looking for a collective effort from the forward line to ensure the team remains competitive and continues its pursuit of silverware in domestic competitions.
The AFCON period will serve as a significant test for Liverpool’s attacking depth and the ability of other forwards to rise to the occasion.
The Cup of Nations begins in Ivory Coast on January 13, 2024.
