Liverpool duo Mo Salah and Wataru Endo won’t be available for the FA Cup tie against Arsenal next week, according to The Times.
The two players will be flying out to play for their countries in the African Cup of Nations and Asian Cup which both start in mid-January.
It means that, after the Newcastle match on Monday night, the Reds will be without Salah and Endo for up to 7 fixtures, and supporters on X are worried about the implications:
We’re finished
— L🫵🏾re (@LareLFC) December 27, 2023
Chance for others to step up 👍🏻
— craig hamlet (@porkoHKR) December 27, 2023
Hopefully Egypt are knocked out in the group stage
— Jack (@Jack_24__) December 27, 2023
No worries! We have alot of options for Salah wing, “Szoboszli, Jota, Gakpo, Luiz Diaz, Elliott, even sure Gravenberch” just need to change our style of play and hope Klop use his tactics very well!
— Bright! 🦅 (@oghen45298) December 27, 2023
waiting us to be cooked
— Curtis lewis (@tJ28339382) December 27, 2023
Good news. Elliott can play RW and Macca can play DM meanwhile Salah and Endo are away for AFCON and Asia Cup
— Kumar Reaturaj (@reaturaj_kr4) December 27, 2023
Liverpool have had time to plan for their departures
While Endo has become a more prominent figure in the starting lineup over the past few weeks, there is confidence that Jurgen Klopp’s side can cope without him, especially with Alexis Mac Allister nearing his return to full fitness.
That can’t be said of Salah, though. The Reds will have known about the situation for a while, though, so there should be some sort of plan in place to limit the impact of his absence.
What could the front three look like without Salah?
With Diogo Jota now back to fitness, it will be hoped that the Portuguese international can fill in on the right wing, even though it isn’t his best position. Harvey Elliott and Dominik Szoboszlai can also play there if required.
For the other two positions up front, the likes of Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz will likely be rotated over the next 5 to 6 weeks.
Watch a preview of Liverpool’s plans for the January transfer window on Shots!TV here
