Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp addressed the impending absence of star player Mohamed Salah during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a touch of humor on Friday. Klopp mentioned that he refrained from wishing Salah too much luck for the tournament, acknowledging the challenging spell his team faces without their top scorer.
Salah is currently with the Egypt national team for AFCON in Ivory Coast, and Klopp recognizes that both Salah and Japan’s Wataru Endo, who will be participating in the Asian Cup, might extend their absence until the second week of February.
During a press conference ahead of Liverpool’s FA Cup third-round tie against Arsenal on Sunday, Klopp shared his lighthearted comment: “I said if I wish you good luck, it would be a lie.” He added that from a personal perspective, he would be content if they exited the tournament early but acknowledged the unlikelihood of it happening. Klopp emphasized the importance of Salah and Endo returning healthy.
Liverpool faces a challenge in finding a suitable replacement for Salah, who plays a crucial role on the right side of the attack and has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season. Klopp expressed confidence in the team’s ability to adapt, citing previous instances where they played without Salah.
Despite the absence of a direct replacement, Klopp mentioned various offensive options within the squad, stating, “Nobody else can play like Mo, it is not possible — we just have to use the boys with their skills.”
Klopp acknowledged the tough schedule in January, with Liverpool’s game against Arsenal followed by the League Cup semi-final against Fulham. He emphasized the importance of managing the fixtures effectively and noted that a rematch against Arsenal in this busy period would not be helpful.
Liverpool is currently at the top of the Premier League table, and Klopp remains optimistic that the team will find a way to navigate the challenges presented by Salah’s absence during this crucial period.
