Mo Salah has been on fire at AFCON with Egypt while Liverpool flounder in the final third, and he may have just solved a problem for Arne Slot.
Salah’s dominance of the right side for Liverpool is well-earned.
It’s where he has done so much of his damage over the years, and he was supported by a unique full-back in Trent Alexander-Arnold who would step in centrally and supply him with elite playmaking.
Salah and Trent were elite together at Liverpool.
New signing Jeremie Frimpong is an entirely different profile of full-back, and there were concerns about his compatibility with the Egyptian. What he’s currently doing on international duty may hold the answer.
Mo Salah’s Frimpong-friendly role at AFCON
Salah has scored three goals in three appearances at AFCON to date, a far more impressive return than he was managing at Liverpool before his exile to the bench.
Egypt Head Coach Hossam Hassan has deployed Salah in a strike partnership with Man City’s Omar Marmoush in each of his last two appearances, both quality displays from the out-of-favour Liverpool star.
The issue with playing Salah and Frimpong together is they both tend to occupy the same space when in possession.
Slot has already experimented with a strike partnership of Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike. With the Swede sidelined, Salah and Ekitike can form that same partnership, allowing for Frimpong to freely operate on the right.
This gets Salah closer to the goal, and his new right-back has already shown his ability to supply from out wide. Frimpong assisted Ryan Gravenberch against Wolves. He should have been credited with one against Fulham, too — Frimpong’s cross to Cody Gakpo was a thing of beauty for the would-be winner.
Ekitike on the left side of a partnership makes total sense, and it gives Slot freedom to play whoever else he sees fit.
Fill in the blank: Arne Slot must start — as Liverpool’s striker against Arsenal
Isak is out until March, and Ekitike hasn’t trained. Could Chiesa be an option? 🤔
Until Salah’s return, Liverpool will probably have to go with one striker for now, but a two-pronged attack could be the future of Slot’s system.
Why else buy two elite number 9s?
Liverpool short-handed against Arsenal
Going to the Emirates is a challenge on the best of days, but Liverpool are missing so many big players.
Isak is injured. Salah’s in Morocco. Ekitike is a doubt for Arsenal.
It’s anyone’s guess who starts, but it will need to be a strong side and one with enough quality to break through a stubborn Arsenal defence.
WHO do you want to see start vs Arsenal?
Do you agree with our predicted XI? Who would you change…
A loss against the league-leaders would leave Liverpool 17 points off the pace — that would have been unthinkable coming into this season. It’s the biggest game of the season so far.
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