Slot can try something totally new as he attempts to replace Salah for Liverpool vs Brighton - opinion
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Liverpool must find a way to cope without Mohamed Salah during Saturday’s visit to Brighton after Arne Slot ruled the Egyptian out with an injury.Salah has not been especially influential for the Reds of late, but with options in attack dwindling, the veteran is still a hugely important player.Having scored a lovely goal against Galatasaray in midweek, Salah looked like he may be finally back in the groove. Looks like Gakpo will return…Liverpool predicted XI vs Brighton – GRV Media Option 1: Rio NgumohaPerhaps the most popular option for Slot would be to start Rio Ngumoha on the right of the Liverpool attack.The 17-year-old played only one minute plus injury time from the bench during Wednesday’s win over Galatasaray, and so should be fresh to go again on Saturday.Ngumoha was arguably Liverpool’s best player against Tottenham last time out in the Premier League, and sticking him in again for a second consecutive league start would give Brighton something to think about.
Slot has proven that he will start Ngumoha, and it would not be a huge surprise to see him go down this route at the Amex.Photo by Carl Recine/Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Liverpool v Brighton: Arne Slot shares when he hopes Mohamed Salah will return from injuryOption 2: Cody GakpoIf Ngumoha would be the fans’ choice to play, then Cody Gakpo would arguably be at the bottom of the list right now.Liverpool looked so much better without Gakpo starting on Wednesday, and though that may have been a coincidence to some degree, supporters are unlikely to be happy with the Dutchman coming back in.Nevertheless, one of the main criticisms of Gakpo has been his tendency to cut inside from the left onto his right foot. If Slot uses him as a Salah replacement on Saturday, he would not be able to do that.
The results would be fascinating to see.Option 3: Federico ChiesaThe clamour to see more from Federico Chiesa at Liverpool has died down somewhat, possibly owing to the Italian looking a little lost at times recently.Despite that, Chiesa should be in contention to come in for Salah, as he offers a genuine goal threat from the right.Salah played more centrally against Galatasaray, and if Slot chooses to do the same at Brighton, then Chiesa might be the best fit. Photo Credit: Getty Images/Carl Recine Option 4: Jeremie FrimpongThis possibly seems like the least likely choice for Slot given he has suggested playing Jeremie Frimpong at all this weekend could be a ‘risk.’The Dutchman has started the last two matches for Liverpool not long after recovering from a hamstring problem, and it may be too much to ask for him to go again.Frimpong has regularly been used as an alternative to Salah this season, however, so if Slot is given the go-ahead to play his countryman, he may well do it.Option 5: No right-winger, diamond midfieldIf Slot wants a like-for-like replacement for Salah, he will choose from one of these four players, or possibly move Florian Wirtz to the right.However, our preferred option would be to build the attack around Wirtz instead, using the German as a shadow striker for Hugo Ekitike.With Wirtz playing more of a traditionally No.