Who plays the right-wing position while Mo Salah is out? That’s the question on top of the mind of all Liverpool fans with the Reds facing Arsenal in an FA Cup clash this weekend.
Liverpool’s options for navigating Salah’s absence on the Right Wing
Salah is out until next month due to AFCON. The “Egyptian King” is looking to bring the Pharaohs their first AFCON trophy since 2010.
Back in England, Salah’s presence will be sorely missed. The 31-year-old winger is in top form, scoring 18 goals and notching 9 assists in 27 games this season. He’s played a vital role in securing Liverpool’s primacy at the top of the Premier League table. So what does Klopp do at the right-wing position to keep Liverpool’s winning streak alive?
Harvey Elliot, Mo Salah’s understudy, first comes to mind. As Klopp revealed himself, “I think we played against West Ham with Harvey there and we have different defensive options. Other players can play on the wing but maybe not like Mo, it’s not possible. We use the boys and their skills and that is the idea behind it. Do we want to play without Mo? No.
“But we will find a way. Of course we play Arsenal and we can lose with Mo Salah – but at the moment we have a chance to win the game, so we think about that.”
Elliot has one strike and two assists in limited minutes this term.
The other option, of course, could be Jota or Szoboszlai, the latter who played RW at RB Leipzig the last couple of seasons. However, the Hungarian picked up a hamstring knock against Newcastle and still could be out.
Japanese and mouthguard sensation Wataru Endo could also cover Salah’s position, but he too is overseas, playing in Qatar’s 2023 Asian Cup.
After Sunday’s Arsenal FA Cup clash, Liverpool’s January fixtures include an EFL Cup double against Fulham and Premier League fixtures against Bournemouth and Chelsea.
Salah could be back from AFCON just in time for the February 4th Premier League clash against Arsenal. But Klopp shouldn’t get his hopes up. Salah is on a mission for Egypt, giving the likes of Harvey and Jota their moment to step up in the Egyptian’s absence.
Photo: Twitter/LFCHaiden
