'Maybe': Glenn Murray suggests Liverpool are preparing to try something new when Mohamed Salah is at AFCON

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Liverpool will have to hope many of their issues are sorted by the winter when Mohamed Salah is expected on international duty.The Reds have not performed like the Premier League champions fans know they are this season, after a run of three defeats and performances in some victories that have left a lot to be desired.They do have the opportunity to turn their fortunes and form around against Manchester United at Anfield, but it still might prove difficult with Ruben Amorim’s side favouring a long-ball over the top, which has caught Liverpool out.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. Arne Slot will have to figure out his team’s balance because Salah will be going away with Egypt to compete in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) from the end of December.The competition will see the best African teams compete for the coveted AFCON trophy, but because they are expected to compete from December until early January, it could mean the 33-year-old winger will be out of Slot’s squad for a while.Photo by ABDEL MAJID BZIOUAT/AFP via Getty ImagesGlenn Murray suggests Arne Slot is relying less on Mohamed SalahThis does throw up another issue for the Dutchman to sort, given the fact that he will be without his starting right winger, even if his form has taken a dip.It is something that Glenn Murray believes the former Feyenoord boss is already planning for after looking at Salah’s statistics this season and the way Slot’s team have played.READ MORE: Wayne Rooney explains why Liverpool are under more pressure ahead of crucial Man United fixtureThe former Brighton and Hove Albion striker explained that so far this season, the Egyptian has dipped because he is not receiving the ball as much, which may lay the groundwork for how Liverpool play while he is at AFCON.Speaking on Match of the Day, Murray explained: “I do not think he is quite getting enough ball.

I think what he is coming up against is deep lying opponents, I think the dribbles really stand out, successful dribbles 12 all last year, only one this year. And touches inside the opposition box that is a big worry for me.“But what you can say for Liverpool is they are sharing the load more, whereas Salah was a go-to man all the time.

Maybe they are looking more for Gakpo and Wirtz through the middle. So it might be Arne Slot trying to rely less on Mo Salah and obviously AFCON in January, which he is going to miss (games).”Federico Chiesa would be a likely Mohamed Salah replacement for AFCONWhile Slot may not want the legendary player to be gone for that long, he does have a ready-made replacement if he so wishes.Federico Chiesa has been made to come off the bench in some games this season, and when he has been on the pitch, the Italian has made a real impact.In the Premier League, he has scored two goals, and in his start against Southampton in the League Cup, he assisted both of the goals.The energy and work rate of the 27-year-old make him perfectly suited for a stint on the right flank while Salah is away; however, it does feel as though Slot may not choose him, given his lack of minutes this season.