via echo
Liverpool might have kept hold of Mohamed Salah this summer despite big-money interest from Saudi Arabia, but they will still have to make do without his services this season.
Salah is set to captain Egypt at this winter’s Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, which will take place between January 13 and February 11
Should the Pharaohs reach the final, as they did in the 2021 edition of the tournament (staged in 2022
Throw in potential progression in the FA Cup and League Cup and such a total rises to eight games
Liverpool face the possibility of the forward being absent for their blockbuster Premier League double-header at home Chelsea and away at Arsenal on January 31 and February 3 respectively.
Considering Liverpool still have Jota, Nunez and Gakpo in their senior attacking ranks without Salah, and can also count upon the likes of Elliott and highly-rated starlet Ben Doak, Klopp is unlikely to seek out a short-term replacement for the Egyptian in January.
Consequently, if the Reds do sign a new forward, they would more likely be seen as a long-term successor for Salah
With the Reds in Europa League action this season, Klopp is expected to rotate his side
As a result, such games could instead be the perfect chance for the Reds to blood Doak
Signed from Celtic last summer, Doak shone for the Under-18s, Under-19s and Under-21s before being handed his Liverpool debut as a substitute in the League Cup third round against Derby County.
Having also come on as a substitute against Chelsea on the opening day of this season, the 17-year-old boasts 73 minutes of senior action for the Reds from six cameo appearances.
Doak has been earmarked as a potential long-term replacement for Salah ever since he first burst onto the scene at academy level.
Should he impress when turned to in the Europa League and League Cup, it would suggest he is ready for more responsibility and can help cover for Salah in January
While he has so far caught the eye in glimpses, there would be no shame in not quite being ready for such a full step up yet
Especially with those back-to-back January clashes with Chelsea and Arsenal more daunting than the club's previous run of fixtures during the Africa Cup of Nations.
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