Liverpool lost key players to AFCON this month but the Reds continue to see benefits. Their stars will return to a better squad.
Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita disappearing to AFCON was a scary prospect for Liverpool. Fast-forward to now – roughly halfway through the tournament – and things don’t seem quite so scary. In fact, we’d argue that the squad has improved in the absence of key stars.
That’s an exciting prospect. The trio will return next month, after all, and will only boost this squad further. Liverpool are going to get better and we think the evidence is in three players, in particular.
Diogo Jota steps up for Liverpool during AFCON
We said before the tournament that Diogo Jota was essentially the best-possible replacement for Salah and Mane. The fact that Liverpool could fall back on the Portugal forward was a real luxury and that’s really come to the forefront.
No, Jota didn’t score against Crystal Palace but he didn’t actually have to. But he filled the role of difference-maker in that Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg against Arsenal – exactly what Liverpool needed.
Liverpool plainly have a star capable of delivering in big moments. Everyone has seen that now. And when Salah & Mane return, there will be two more.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain offers wonderful cover
Jurgen Klopp has backed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to cover Salah over the last two Premier League games. That’s a big ask, of course, as the Egyptian is the league’s top scorer. He led the assists charts, too, in fact.
Could a player who scored just once last season step up and replace the most lethal forward around? Yes, actually. Oxlade-Chamberlain scored against Brentford and then got another against Palace. Liverpool put their faith in the 28-year-old and he’s delivered.
And so when Salah returns, he does so with genuine cover behind him for the first time in a while. Liverpool showed they can get goals even without him – so how dangerous will they be once he’s back?
Curtis Jones catches the eye
With Thiago out and Keita at AFCON, Liverpool needed Curtis Jones to catch fire. He’s their only available progressive midfielder – someone they can turn to in order to move the ball through the lines.
Jones has delivered. In fact, he’s been brilliant at times, earning praise from fans in every game he’s played. We’ve been very, very impressed and the Scouser looks like an impressive option right now. Once Keita is back – let alone Thiago – Liverpool’s midfield will look more creative than it has in some time.
But Jones is only one example. Andy Robertson, for instance, has stepped up recently to find his best form all season. Trent Alexander-Arnold showed he doesn’t need Liverpool’s star two up top to generate assists. Fabinho has even got amongst the goals!
Liverpool’s squad has looked strong enough to fight at the top of the Premier League even without some of their best players. They’ll return to a stronger squad, one that’s built confidence and proven themselves without them.
And that should bring about the best Liverpool side all season.
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