Liverpool shifts gears as Salah heads to AFCON
The recent public kerfuffle surrounding Mohamed Salah has begun to fade from the daily headlines as Liverpool prepare for a substantial spell without their talisman. With Salah away representing Egypt at AFCON, Jurgen Klopp’s side are increasingly focused on the present and the future rather than replaying the controversial moment that sparked the backlash. Arne Slot’s candid assessment that Liverpool have “moved on” reflects a team intent on sustaining momentum even in Salah’s absence.
Klopp’s plan without Salah
AFCON duty creates a practical challenge for Klopp: how to keep Liverpool’s attack vibrant while their primary goal scorer is continents away. The manager has signalled a tactical shift rather than a wholesale rebuild. Klopp is likely to lean more on his collective play, with midfielders and forwards offering richer movement and quicker interchanges. The aim is to maintain intensity without depending on a single figure for inspiration.
Rotation and depth in attack
Missing Salah for potentially up to a month forces Liverpool to lean on the depth chart. Players such as Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz, and Darwin Núñez offer varied profiles that can complement each other and stretch opposing defenses. The extended period offers a testing ground for Klopp to refine how these attackers relate on and off the ball, especially in transitions and counter-pressing sequences where Liverpool have historically excelled.
Midfield balance and creativity
With Salah unavailable, the midfield units are under closer scrutiny. The connection between the engine room and the attackers becomes even more critical. Whether Liverpool deploy a slightly more centralized playmaker or rely on dynamic runners from wide positions, the emphasis is on maintaining tempo and creating high-quality chances. The interval between creative sparks and clinical finishing will be a barometer of Liverpool’s evolution during this AFCON window.
<h2Implications for the AFCON window and schedule
AFCON duties interrupt several club campaigns each year, and this year’s Liverpool horizon includes a handful of fixtures that could shape their season trajectory. Klopp will likely treat this stretch as a mini-tocus on squad unity: strengthening tactical understanding, preserving defensive solidity, and ensuring that the team’s pressing intensity remains intact even without Salah’s end-product. The schedule demand tests the squad’s resilience, but it also offers a chance for other players to seize pivotal roles in attack.
What this means for Salah’s return and beyond
When Salah returns to Anfield, he will rejoin a squad that has arguably grown in cohesion during his absence. The dynamic may push him to adapt to a slightly different role, one where he complements the team’s evolved structure rather than carrying the attack alone. The broader lesson for Liverpool is clear: sustainable success relies on balance, depth, and a shared sense of responsibility across forwards, midfielders, and defenders.
Looking ahead
As Salah pursues AFCON glory, Liverpool’s findings in this period will shape their strategic approach for the remainder of the season. If the team maintains form and returns with a fresh understanding of how best to deploy a flexible frontline, Klopp’s side could be primed for a strong run once Salah is back in the mix. For fans, the early tests of depth should offer reassurance: Liverpool are not a one-man machine, and their evolution could be the real story of the campaign.
