Who will replace Salah at Liverpool during AFCON

Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has pinpointed Harvey Elliot and Dominik Szoboszlai as potential candidates to step into Mohamed Salah’s shoes as the Egyptian forward gears up for AFCON departure this month.

Salah, in scintillating form during Liverpool’s clash against Newcastle United, showcased his prowess by netting two goals and providing an assist, catapulting the Reds to a crucial victory and securing their three-point lead atop the Premier League standings.

With Salah bidding farewell to Liverpool to join the Egypt squad, he could potentially miss up to eight pivotal games should Egypt advance to the AFCON final in Ivory Coast.

The impending absence poses a significant challenge for manager Jurgen Klopp in terms of maintaining attacking prowess.

Carragher, speaking to Sky Sports, contemplated the intriguing prospect of who would fill Salah’s position during his departure, highlighting the imbalance in Liverpool’s attacking options, particularly on the right flank, dominated by right-footed players.

The former Liverpool defender outlined potential solutions, including Harvey Elliot, though acknowledging Elliot’s natural midfield inclination and slightly lacking pace for the front three, and Dominik Szoboszlai.

“A lot of Liverpool’s attackers are right footed. They look okay on the left, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo can all do that but no one looks like they have the right balance to go on the right.

“A couple of options could be Harvey Elliot. I think he is more of a midfield player, he lacks pace to play in the front three but he could do it.”

Carragher emphasized Szoboszlai’s adaptability, having operated in similar positions for his former club, and Liverpool’s bolstered midfield choices, with the return of Alexis Mac Allister.

“But also Szoboszlai. Liverpool have got a lot of midfield options now with Alexis Mac Allister back, Szoboszlai has played in that position for his former club. You can’t replace his [Salah’s] goals, that will be very difficult.”