Liverpool latest: Mohamed Salah successor verdict reached as forward suffers new setback
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Liverpool star Mo Salah has endured a tough start since joining up with Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations while Arne Slot has been told to address his forward lineLiverpool are set to face Tottenham Hotspur this Saturday, aiming to maintain their recent winning streak. Arne Slot has managed to turn things around after a dismal period that saw the Dutchman's position questioned, while a fallout with Mo Salah left the superstar forward's future at the club in question.A 3-3 draw away at Leeds was followed by a 1-0 triumph over Inter Milan in the Champions League and then a 2-0 victory against Brighton last weekend at Anfield.
Liverpool are now just two points shy of the top four, with Chelsea holding the coveted position.READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp tipped to make Premier League return with 'loads of money' promiseREAD MORE: 'Irritated' Liverpool legend Graeme Souness takes aim at Mohamed Salah - 'Look in the mirror'Today's news reveals a new setback for Salah while on duty with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, while the Reds have been encouraged to consider a replacement for his front line, should Salah depart in January or the summer. The ECHO takes a look at the latest news from Anfield.Salah faces new setbackEgypt may have defeated Nigeria 2-1 in their sole warm-up friendly ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, but they had to do so without their star player, Salah.The 33-year-old joined his international colleagues in preparation for the 2025/26 AFCON tournament in Morocco, where he is set to lead the Pharaohs.
However, Liverpool's star player was surprisingly omitted from their matchday squad on Tuesday by manager Hossam Hassan, despite Salah not starting any of Liverpool's previous five matches.Salah made a return to the Reds' line-up over the weekend and played a significant part in their 2-0 victory, even providing an assist, despite once again starting from the bench.Mahmoud Saber and Mostafa Mohamed netted the goals for the home side in Cairo, securing a win in their sole warm-up friendly before kicking off their AFCON campaign next Monday. The Liverpool loanee hasn't seen action since making a fleeting substitute appearance against Feyenoord in the Europa League on October 2.Villa would need to fork out £35 million to secure the England star permanently if he makes 10 Premier League appearances, but Emery left the door open for his departure, stating: "He is on loan playing with us, but he is not definitely adding to us with a permanent contract."Former Liverpool and Everton player Don Hutchinson has now called on Slot to reintegrate the two-time Premier League champion back into the fold.Elliott is versatile enough to operate as a winger or attacking midfielder and could stake a claim to succeed Salah, should the forward opt to seek a transfer away from Anfield in the near future or find it difficult to regain his place in the starting line-up."If you're Liverpool, you're probably best off bringing him back and keeping him in the squad," Hutchinson told oddsboom."They only had a short number on the bench at the weekend and, probably that's why Mo Salah was a little bit fortunate that he made the bench, because you know, [Cody] Gakpo was injured, [Wataru] Endo was injured, and [Conor] Bradley was suspended.