Klopp and Liverpool face January blues without Egyptian king Salah

Liverpool faces a significant challenge as Mohamed Salah, their star attacker, participates in the Africa Cup of Nations. Jürgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, has expressed concern about navigating this period without Salah’s goal-scoring prowess, especially considering the additional absence of Wataru Endo, who is on Asian Cup duty with Japan. Klopp, while addressing the topic, showcased a furrowed brow, emphasizing Salah’s crucial role and expressing a sense of frustration at the situation.

Salah’s consistency as Liverpool’s leading goal-scorer for six successive seasons, on track for a seventh, adds to the manager’s concern. Among Liverpool’s three defeats in all competitions this season, only one occurred with Salah on the field, and that was when they were down to nine men at Tottenham. Klopp referred to the situation as “a really average situation” and highlighted the loss of a player who has been instrumental in Liverpool’s goal-scoring charts.

While Klopp denied having a specific long-term plan for Salah’s absence, he acknowledged the need for a practical, adaptable approach. The return of Diogo Jota from injury offers a potential solution, but replacing Salah’s impact from the right wing remains a daunting task. Klopp praised Jota for his football intelligence, emphasizing Portugal’s forward as a “very smart footballer” with a deep understanding of the game.

Looking back at Liverpool’s performance during Salah’s previous mid-season absence for the Africa Cup of Nations in January 2022, Klopp highlighted their remarkable success. Liverpool won seven of eight matches without both Salah and Sadio Mané, a run that included a two-legged League Cup semi-final victory over Arsenal. Klopp expressed hope that Diogo Jota, who played a crucial role during that period, could once again step up in Salah’s absence.

Klopp acknowledged that the January fixtures offer Liverpool some breathing space, with games against Newcastle, Bournemouth, and Chelsea in the Premier League, a two-legged League Cup semi-final against Fulham, and an FA Cup tie against Arsenal. Klopp will likely lean on other attacking options, including Darwin Núñez, Cody Gakpo, Luis Díaz, and even Harvey Elliott, who could potentially slot into an advanced role.

Despite the challenges, Klopp remains optimistic about finding solutions and adapting to the circumstances. The hope is that Liverpool can navigate this period successfully until Salah’s return, with the Egyptian King’s presence eagerly anticipated by the manager and the team.