Jurgen Klopp revealed how Liverpool are planning to cope when Mohamed Salah leaves in January for 2023 AFCON.
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Salah to join his Egyptian team-mates in early JanuaryMight not be available until mid-February if Egypt go all the wayKlopp has a blueprint in place to cope without SalahWHAT HAPPENED?
Salah, with 16 strikes this season, is a crucial goal-scoring asset for Liverpool but will potentially be away for over a month due to international commitments. Despite this significant loss, Klopp remains optimistic about finding suitable solutions among the attacking options available.
He expressed his confidence in dealing with such situations, citing past incidents when key players like Sadio Mane and Salah had left to participate in the AFCON for Senegal and Egypt, respectively.
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Speaking to reporters, Klopp said: "It is not the first time, it is a really at least very average situation that you lose your goalscorer but we had it even worse in the past when Sadio (Mane) and Mo left. We came somehow through it and traditionally one of them went pretty far in the tournament, which made it worse. We knew the Africa Cup of Nations from time to time appears and Mo has to go and we have (Wataru) Endo as a participant of the Asia Cup (played at the same time) as well, so it is like it is. We have to deal with it and we will.
"Each long-term plan I could have had depends massively on who is available so why should I think in October who I can use when Mo is away when I have no clue who is available? We would have solutions today, I hope we have that after the Newcastle game as well.”
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Klopp insisted that the return of Diogo Jota, who scored on his comeback against Burnley after a month-long injury layoff, is a timely boost to his attacking resources at hand.
“The return of each of the boys is super-important but Diogo especially. Everybody was quite positive about our five options, but I don’t think we had it that often to be honest,” Klopp said.
“Especially with the amount of games we play it is so important these boys can rotate and now with Mo leaving and Endo leaving we need everyone to get back. The game is blessed with some of these players who really understand the game on a different level and he (Jota) is one of them. It gives him the chance to see the situations slightly earlier, to adapt to different things the opponent is doing a little bit quicker.
"On top of that, he is both-footed, a great finisher. For these last few games, even when the results were not always outstanding, we found a good rhythm, good fluidity, which is really important. It gives you a good feeling, you’d probably call it momentum, and for that you need to be connected and be together in the right moment.”
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR SALAH?
Salah will leave for Ivory Coast after facing Newcastle United on January 1 at Anfield. He is set to miss at least six matches including an FA Cup fixture at Arsenal and the Carabao Cup semi-final with Fulham.
If Egypt goes on to play the summit clash on February 11 then the forward will miss two crucial fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal on February 1 and 4, respectively in the Premier League.
