Arne Slot sweating over injured star as Mohamed Salah absence adds to Liverpool crisis

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Arne Slot will have to make a number of changes to his squad when Liverpool travel to Tottenham Hotspur next weekendArne Slot has spent the past fortnight fielding a plethora of questions about Mohamed Salah and whether or not he’ll be in his Liverpool starting XI or even squad following his explosive interview at Elland Road. But with the Egyptian now departing for the Africa Cup of Nations, the Dutchman will at least be afforded a respite.Having sat out the Reds’ trip to Inter Milan as a result of his comments, Salah was recalled for Saturday’s win over Brighton & Hove Albion.And although he started on the bench, he made a decisive impact after being brought on midway through the first half as he assisted Hugo Ekitike’s second goal in the 2-0 win.READ MORE: Curtis Jones shares Mohamed Salah's message to Liverpool squad and shuts down criticsREAD MORE: What Mohamed Salah said in mixed zone after Liverpool recall as Arne Slot 'drops' another playerWith Slot having bemoaned having just 13 available senior outfield players ahead of facing the Seagulls, Salah’s return was a welcome one.But he will continue to face a selection dilemma in the weeks ahead with his star forward away on international duty and Liverpool continuing to be troubled by injury.“Mo is going to go to AFCON now,” Slot said in his post-match press conference.

“I hope he is going to do very well and in the meantime we have to play here without him, with not that many players available at the moment.”Both Joe Gomez and Dominik Szoboszlai would limp off in the victory over Brighton, potentially depleting the head coach’s options further.With Liverpool next in action away to Tottenham Hotspur next Saturday, the ECHO takes a look at the changes Slot might have to make to his side…Bradley is backHaving seen Gomez limp off with a hamstring injury, Slot has already confirmed that he expects the England international to miss the trip to the capital.Fortunately for the Reds, though, they will welcome at least one right-back back to their squad with Conor Bradley available again after serving a one-game suspension and likely to start as a result.Jeremie Frimpong is closing in on his own return too, having been sidelined since October with a hamstring injury of his own, though it remains to be seen if he will be available for selection to face Tottenham.With Gomez injured, Slot’s hand will be forced at centre-back with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate now his only available senior options.He could make a change at left-back though as Milos Kerkez and Andy Robertson continue to rotate.Sweating over SzoboszlaiSzoboszlai has been one of Liverpool’s stars of the season so far, with it inevitably a massive blow for the team if they are left without him because of injury.The Hungary international was in visible discomfort after suffering an ankle injury against Brighton. And while he initially attempted to play, he conceded defeat before being withdrawn in the closing moments.Should he not be fit for the trip to Tottenham, Slot’s options in midfield would be left somewhat limited.Florian Wirtz, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch would all be expected to keep their places, with no other senior alternatives available given that Wataru Endo is also currently sidelined with an ankle injury.Trey Nyoni was not named in the squad to face Brighton, but would at least offer a reserve option if selected.Isak back inHaving suffered a knock in the win over Inter Milan, Alexander Isak dropped to the bench for the win over Brighton, while it was Salah who was introduced ahead of him when Slot had to make a first half change.But given the Egyptian’s AFCON commitments, Cody Gakpo’s own injury and Szoboszlai’s possible absence, the Swede is well-placed to earn a recall in attack against Tottenham with Slot’s available players perhaps pointing to use of a diamond set-up.If not, Federico Chiesa is also an option across the front three, while Rio Ngumoha offers further depth from the bench if required.