The Africa Cup of Nations has been hanging over the heads of Liverpool fans since the start of the Premier League season. It has been no secret that the re-arranged AFCON will have an impact on Liverpool’s title challenge this season, as they will be forced to go through a hectic period of the winter section of the campaign without two of their most influential stars.
The absences of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah will certainly leave Jurgen Klopp with questions to find an answer to, but how will the German address these issues to ensure that they remain favorites on the soccer lines and are able to pick up Premier League points without two of his star attackers?
Keep Hold Of Stars For Huge January Showdown
Liverpool are still in direct talks with Senegal and Egypt surrounding when the two strikers will be departing England and joining up with their respective nations for the Africa Cup of Nations. At present, it is believed that many of the African stars will play their final games in the Premier League on Boxing Day, which could already put the Reds on the back foot, as they have a huge showdown on January 2nd.
Liverpool travel to Chelsea in that early 2022 showdown, and having Salah and Mane available will be huge to their chances of getting the points at Stamford Bridge.
Due to the competitive nature at the top of the Premier League this season, a win in that fixture away from home could be massive for Liverpool’s hopes of winning the league this season. However, it’s also worth noting that Chelsea could also be without an important player, as first-choice stopper Edouard Mendy is set to travel to the Africa Cup of Nations in late December.
Fringe Players Need To Step Up
The one factor that has been pointed at Liverpool’s inability to win the league this season has been their lack of depth. Fringe players will have the perfect opportunity to respond to those doubts surrounding their ability over the period between December and January, as they will have an increased role to play as the Reds chase the title. Two stars that will certainly need to play at the top of their game are Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi.
The latter has already shown his quality when the Reds need it most, as he memorably played his part in Liverpool’s semi-final success against Barcelona and also scored the important second goal in the Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur.
Origi has already contributed this season too, as he scored the late winner to see the Reds snatch all three points in the Midlands against Wolves. Both stars will be huge for the Reds over the coming months, and will need to deliver the magic that is missing without Salah and Mane.
Prioritize The League
It has been a long time since Liverpool have won a domestic cup competition, but all fans are likely to agree that this isn’t the season to be playing a full-strength team in the FA Cup, as the priority needs to be the Premier League.
With limited options in the forward line, many will be surprised to see Diogo Jota or Roberto Firmino play any part in the third-round tie in January, as they will need to be wrapped in cotton wool for the important Premier League fixtures that Salah and Mane will be missing.
Klopp has been ridiculed by opposing fans in recent seasons for playing the youngsters in cup competitions, but Reds fans will not card with exits in both competitions this season if it means that the star players are fit and ready to go in the Premier League. The manager must ensure that Liverpool are still in a strong position to win a second league title in three seasons once the African contingent return to Merseyside.
