How can Liverpool replace Mohamed Salah during AFCON?

Mohamed Salah’s future at Liverpool looked in doubt after he gave a stunning interview in which he claimed to have been ‘thrown under the bus’ by the club.  

The Egypt international also claimed his relationship with manager Arne Slot has collapsed. 

The forward’s outburst led him to being dropped out of the Reds’ squad for the Champions League victory at Inter Milan in midweek. 

But Salah has since been re-integrated into the team, with the 33-year-old coming off the bench against Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend. 

He will now jet off to join Egypt in Cairo over the coming days as they prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations. 

With AFCON set to begin on 21 December, Salah is guaranteed to miss the next three fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leeds United. 

Depending on Egypt’s progress in the knockout stages, the forward could also miss January’s games against Fulham, Arsenal, Barnsley and Burnley. 

During Salah’s exile, Slot featured Dominik Szoboszlai on the right wing and the versatile footballer was excellent with his performances. 

Operating in different positions, the Hungarian has started all 16 Premier League matches this campaign, with three direct goal contributions to his name. 

But Szoboszlai picked up a knock during the Reds’ 2-0 win against Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend. 

This means Federico Chiesa can finally earn a run of games in the Liverpool starting XI. 

The 28-year-old has played 11 times in the English top-flight, but all of them have been from the bench. 

Alternatively, Slot could start 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha on the right-hand side, or Jeremie Frimpong may be given a shot when he returns from a hamstring injury. 

Stats from Transfermarkt