Liverpool think new signing Dominik Szoboszlai can take Mohamed Salah’s place while he’s away at AFCON next season.
Salah is set to miss a chunk of the season once again, with the African Cup of Nations set to take place in the New Year. It’s forever a dilemma for Liverpool, who rarely have to make do without their biggest goal threat
Liverpool think new signing Dominik Szoboszlai can take Mohamed Salah’s place while he’s away at AFCON next season.
Salah is set to miss a chunk of the season once again, with the African Cup of Nations set to take place in the New Year. It’s forever a dilemma for Liverpool, who rarely have to make do without their biggest goal threat
But according to The Athletic, the Reds feel they may have now found a solution for next season. They claim that Liverpool believe Szoboszlai could well be a ‘decent option’ to take Salah’s position
In fact, the suggestion is that this is part of the reason they signed the Hungarian. It’s claimed that Szoboszlai’s ‘tactical flexibility’ was appealing to Jurgen Klopp, who likes his ability to play as a No.8, a No.10 and even in wide forward positions.
With the Reds looking unlikely to add to their forward options this summer, this could well end up being a crucial point.
Liverpool planning for Salah loss
It obviously remains to be seen what kind of state Liverpool will be in by the time January rolls around. But no matter their condition in the season, they’ll miss Salah.
Despite his struggles in the early part of last campaign, Mo once again showed his class during 22/23. Finishing with 30 goals while the team around him failed to hit their usual heights is as impressive as anything he’s done at the club so far.
Having said that, the last time he left for the tournament – back in 2022 – Liverpool actually fared really well. It’s worth bearing in mind that 18 months ago the Reds were actually shorn of both Sadio Mane and Salah for the African showpiece.
But a combination of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and the newly-signed Luis Diaz got them through it. They kept their title charge on track.
On paper, Liverpool should be even better placed this time around. Diaz is still at the club, and you’d back the likes of Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo and even Darwin Nunez to do a job on the right. None look a natural fit, though.
Perhaps Szoboszlai can be. With numbers and availability hopefully no longer an issue in the middle of the park, why not give it a try
