Liverpool have been well below par this season with Mohamed Salah enduring a steep drop off – but AFCON will allow the Reds to see how they would look minus the Egypt star
Liverpool will get the chance to see how they would perform minus the struggling Mohamed Salah with his Africa Cup of Nations exit date potentially coming earlier than planned.
The Egyptian has been undroppable for almost the entirety of his time at Anfield, which is approaching a decade, but never before has his contribution been so minimal. Yet it would still be a statement of intent from Arne Slot to axe the forward, who recently penned a new two-year deal.
Salah has scored just twice in the top flight since mid-September – and hasn’t registered an assist in any competition since the 2-1 derby victory vs Everton over two months ago.
Egypt want Salah for a mid-December friendly before the tournament begins, reports the Echo, which would see him miss the Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion on December 13 as well as the games he was set to miss over the Christmas period. All in all a mid-December exit could mean more than a month with out Salah for the Reds.
Egypt will begin their campaign on December 22 when they meet Zimbabwe. The African tournament runs from December 21 to January 18 and Salah could miss as many as seven games, depending on the progress of Egypt – which means Slot will be able to see his team for a prolonged period minus their forward, who has struggled throughout this season.
READ MORE: Liverpool sent mixed Alexander Isak messages as Hugo Ekitike told he ‘should be fuming’READ MORE: Arne Slot ready to rip up Liverpool plan after stumbling on winning formula
The relationship between Liverpool chiefs and the Egyptian Football Association is healthy and negotiations are ongoing to reach an agreement. Egypt’s technical director Ibrahim Hassan has told winwin.com: “We are still in contact with Liverpool and Manchester City (over Omar Marmoush) at the moment for this matter.”
With Salah’s goal and assist count falling off a cliff his attitude is now also being questioned. His lack of work defensively is also coming under increasing scrutiny with Wayne Rooney among the most vocal critics, calling for Slot to axe his forward.
On Monday night Jamie Carragher was critical of his silence amid the team’s losing run. He said: “I only ever hear Salah speak when he gets Man of the Match, or when he needs a new contract. I’d like to see Mo Salah come out as one of the leaders, one of the legends of Liverpool, come out and speak for the team.”
Liverpool have struggled to find a winning formula following a summer of upheaval. Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz were signed to be part of the attack, but Isak and Wirtz have struggled to make an impact in a misfiring frontline.
It was noted how impressive Wirtz looked in the Champions League win at Frankfurt from the right-hand side and a possible month without Salah will allow Liverpool to see what they were capable of minus the Egyptian, who will almost certainly move on in just over 18 months’ time.
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