Jurgen Klopp confident Liverpool will find solution in Mohamed Salah’s absence

30.12.2023 - 03:46 breakingnews.ie

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp faces a hugely-significant January without talismanic top scorer Mohamed Salah but is confident he can find an acceptable solution among the attacking options at his disposal.

Salah will leave for the African Cup of Nations after Monday’s visit of Newcastle, the first of at least six matches which includes an FA Cup tie at Arsenal and a two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final with Fulham.

The 16-goal forward, second behind only Erling Haaland in the Premier League goalscoring stakes with 12 in the top flight this season, will link up with Egypt as they head to the Ivory Coast next week and will potentially be away for over a month.

Klopp has had to deal with it in the past and remains confident his side will do so again as they seek to maintain their place as Premier League leaders. “It is not the first time, it is a really at least very average situation that you lose your goalscorer but we had it even worse in the past when Sadio (Mane) and Mo left,” he said. “We came somehow through it and traditionally one of them went pretty far in the tournament, which made it worse. “We knew the Africa Cup of Nations from time to time appears and Mo has to go and we have (Wataru) Endo as a participant of the Asia Cup (played at the same time) as well, so it is like it is.

Premier League Newcastle soccer Jurgen Klopp Mohamed Salah Andy Robertson Diogo Jota Egypt Ivory Coast Liverpool

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists his belief is endless in his forwards whether they score or not after Darwin Nunez had an impactful but not ultimately decisive role in the 2-1 Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg win over Fulham. After coming off the bench in the 56th minute, the Uruguay international provided the assist for Curtis Jones' deflected equaliser and then the cross from which fellow substitute Cody Gakpo swept home the winner. On another day Nunez, who has scored just once in the last 16 matches, could have had a late hat-trick after being denied by goalkeeper Bernd Leno which would have virtually put Liverpool in the final ahead of the second leg in a fortnight. "He plays outstanding, I have to say it. There are so many things I love about his game," said Klopp. "The first year was a year to adapt and he scored here and there but now he contributes in all games. "The boys don't start because they score or not score. My belief and trust in them, as long as they behave properly, is endless. They deserve it because of the effort they put in. "I don't know how to explain the Darwin situation. I'm so happy about Darwin's reaction and how he takes it but you cannot be more unlucky in these finishing situations, that's not possible. "He does absolutely everything right, yet ball not in. And then he still sets up the other goal. I think that is really special to do that again." Liverpool's substitutes have contributed 15 goals and 15 assists in all competitions this season, 12 better than any other Premier League team, and Nunez has been responsible for three goals and four assists.

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