How will Liverpool fare as Mohamed Salah departs for AFCON?

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11 wasn’t set to be away over the coming weeks.So, with his services unavailable for an extended stretch and the bench growing thinner, how can Liverpool cope with Salah’s absence?Liverpool FC v PSV Eindhoven - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 | Gaspafotos/MB Media/GettyImages*Finally* giving Federico Chiesa the playing time he deserves"Picking a side” between Salah and Slot was never something fans should have fully bought into given the divisive nature of the situation, but I’ve largely backed the manager for how he’s handled adversity this season. Instead, he sought out Salah, trying to help the Egyptian rediscover his scoring touch—an ultimate act of unselfishness that deserves to be rewarded.In just 161 minutes of league action this season, Chiesa has already contributed two goals and an assist, and I’m confident he can add to that tally with his fellow right winger set to be away for least three or four weeks at the very least.Chiesa could get his first Premier League start of the season against Tottenham, and with Spurs sitting mid‑table in goals conceded (ninth‑fewest, 21) and having recently shown vulnerabilities at the back in a 3‑0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, the fan favorite could very well add a goal contribution on Saturday.Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League | Gaspafotos/MB Media/GettyImagesCounting on Florian Wirtz's versatilityIn addition to Salah’s absence, the Reds must also cope without Cody Gakpo, Slot’s preferred left winger this season, who will be sidelined for a few weeks with an injury.

He’s already proven capable of controlling the game in that position, most notably with his maestro performance in the Reds' massive 1-0 win against Real Madrid in the Champions League.Wirtz continued to showcase his playmaking ability against Brighton, creating three chances while demonstrating defensive prowess by winning all four of his attempted tackles. It’s mind-boggling that the German still hasn’t registered a league goal contribution, but given the significant minutes he’s likely to see over the next few weeks, one is surely on the way.After their clash with Spurs, Liverpool face Wolves, a side that has managed just two points all season.

Against a team that has conceded 35 goals—the most in the league—there’s every reason to back him.It’s clear the club sees Wirtz as their complete playmaker of the future, much as Salah has been for so long. 7 a golden opportunity to show he’s capable of leading this team to glory in the years ahead.Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League | Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImagesLetting Hugo Ekitike continue to shineAfter his two-goal performance against Leeds, I called Hugo Ekitike a “must-start” for the foreseeable future—and he didn’t disappoint, making it back-to-back braces with a pair of sensational goals against Brighton.