Liverpool must find a way to cope without Mohamed Salah during Saturday’s visit to Brighton after Arne Slot ruled the Egyptian out with an injury.
Salah has not been especially influential for the Reds of late, but with options in attack dwindling, the veteran is still a hugely important player.
Having scored a lovely goal against Galatasaray in midweek, Salah looked like he may be finally back in the groove. But having succumbed to a muscle injury, Slot must now pick between five different options to replace Liverpool‘s Egyptian King.
Arne Slot’s expected front three without Salah, what changes would you make? 🔄
No room for Rio again! Salah is ruled out vs Brighton and Frimpong is a doubt. Looks like Gakpo will return…
Option 1: Rio Ngumoha
Perhaps the most popular option for Slot would be to start Rio Ngumoha on the right of the Liverpool attack.
The 17-year-old played only one minute plus injury time from the bench during Wednesday’s win over Galatasaray, and so should be fresh to go again on Saturday.
Ngumoha was arguably Liverpool’s best player against Tottenham last time out in the Premier League, and sticking him in again for a second consecutive league start would give Brighton something to think about. Slot has proven that he will start Ngumoha, and it would not be a huge surprise to see him go down this route at the Amex.
READ MORE: Liverpool v Brighton: Arne Slot shares when he hopes Mohamed Salah will return from injury
Option 2: Cody Gakpo
If Ngumoha would be the fans’ choice to play, then Cody Gakpo would arguably be at the bottom of the list right now.
Liverpool looked so much better without Gakpo starting on Wednesday, and though that may have been a coincidence to some degree, supporters are unlikely to be happy with the Dutchman coming back in.
Nevertheless, one of the main criticisms of Gakpo has been his tendency to cut inside from the left onto his right foot. If Slot uses him as a Salah replacement on Saturday, he would not be able to do that. The results would be fascinating to see.
Option 3: Federico Chiesa
The clamour to see more from Federico Chiesa at Liverpool has died down somewhat, possibly owing to the Italian looking a little lost at times recently.
Despite that, Chiesa should be in contention to come in for Salah, as he offers a genuine goal threat from the right.
Salah played more centrally against Galatasaray, and if Slot chooses to do the same at Brighton, then Chiesa might be the best fit. The 28-year-old has regularly been used as a makeshift striker at Liverpool, and getting him close to the goal to fire off his shots is not a bad idea.
Discuss: Arne Slot could win Liverpool fans back if he keeps showing passion on the touchline
There was much more energy vs Galatasaray, could that change things?
Option 4: Jeremie Frimpong
This possibly seems like the least likely choice for Slot given he has suggested playing Jeremie Frimpong at all this weekend could be a ‘risk.’
The Dutchman has started the last two matches for Liverpool not long after recovering from a hamstring problem, and it may be too much to ask for him to go again.
Frimpong has regularly been used as an alternative to Salah this season, however, so if Slot is given the go-ahead to play his countryman, he may well do it.
Option 5: No right-winger, diamond midfield
If Slot wants a like-for-like replacement for Salah, he will choose from one of these four players, or possibly move Florian Wirtz to the right.
However, our preferred option would be to build the attack around Wirtz instead, using the German as a shadow striker for Hugo Ekitike.
With Wirtz playing more of a traditionally No. 10 role, Slot can then pack his midfield in a ‘diamond’ formation, with one player sitting and two more slightly more advanced.
Given his comments on Frimpong and Joe Gomez in his pre-match press conference, it looks likely that Dominik Szoboszlai will have to play at right-back. If that is the case, a midfield of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones – with Wirtz in front playing off Ekitike and potentially Chiesa – would be an exciting way to approach Salah’s absence.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
