Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes are about to face their largest impediment but – the Africa Cup of Nations.
Star man Mohamed Salah will probably be heading off on worldwide obligation with Egypt, with the Pharaohs out to avenge their last loss two years in the past.
The ahead has been at his greatest this season and his lasting affect was evident in Monday’s 4-2 win at dwelling to Newcastle United.
So how will Liverpool cope with out Salah? Who will step into his footwear? What is going to Jurgen Klopp do to adapt?
Shifting Harvey Elliott out vast is Liverpool’s greatest shot of changing Salah like-for-like. Or as like-for-like as they’ll realistically get. You get the thought.
Elliott is the one attack-minded participant who is of course left-footed and he has performed on the correct instead of Salah through the Reds’ Europa League marketing campaign. The principle downside right here is he may be wanted in midfield with Wataru Endo off to the Asian Cup and Dominik Szoboszlai sidelined with a hamstring damage.
Potential lineups:
Elliott – Nunez – Diaz
Elliott – Jota – Diaz
Elliott – Gakpo – Diaz
Considered one of Liverpool’s main strengths of their present guise has been their capability to cut and alter forwards seeking scoring options.
Key to this has been the flexibility of Cody Gakpo, who has performed as a striker, left winger and midfielder already this season.
A snug technician and a creator as a lot as a direct aim risk, it could possibly be price Klopp’s time to start out him from the correct.
Potential lineups:
Gakpo – Nunez – Diaz
Gakpo – Jota – Diaz
Luis Diaz is the final true winger that Liverpool have obtainable for choice, and even then he is spent a lot of his Reds profession coming inside into central areas.
The electrifying Colombian not less than has the attributes to play on his pure proper facet. This might symbolize a slight change to the best way Liverpool play, however with out Salah that is inevitable anyway.
Potential lineups:
Diaz – Nunez – Jota
Diaz – Nunez – Gakpo
If Liverpool are counting on the targets of Darwin Nunez to win the Premier League, they’re in all probability going to fall brief.
When Salah’s within the crew, that is effective. When he is not, then there’s an actual downside. Taking Nunez out of central areas and having him stretch defences together with his tempo and energy may be his greatest use with out the Egyptian there to assist.
Potential lineups:
Nunez – Jota – Diaz
Nunez – Gakpo – Diaz
Nunez – Jota – Gakpo
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