Two of Liverpool’s biggest stars are temporarily leaving. How will Klopp build a line-up without Salah and Mané?

A very unpleasant snag for Jürgen Klopp to deal with. For a month he has to do without Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah, who is leaving for the African Cup of Nations. How will Liverpool cope without them?

If until now the fight for the Premier League title was still quite open, after the current weekend it is probably closed. For Manchester City won again, while Chelsea and Liverpool from second and third place only drew with each other. The Citizens are thus leading by 10 and 11 points respectively.

Plus, the Africa Cup of Nations is coming up. Objectively, Liverpool will be the hardest hit. The Reds will lose Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah, two of the team’s best players and key strikers. Manchester City will lose Riyad Mahrez, but the width of their squad will not be a problem, with Jack Grealish or Phil Foden waiting on the bench.

Chelsea will lose goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, so Kepa Arrizabalaga will go into action. That may also be a problem for the Blues, but it’s certainly not the loss that it is for Liverpool. How will Klopp build a lineup without his two stars?

One certainty is Diogo Jota, the Portuguese marksman is already starting in the starting lineup quite regularly. When he recovers, the other stalwart will be Roberto Firmino. So it remains to be seen who would complete the Portuguese-Brazilian duo. One possibility is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who can start on the right wing. Another option is the young Curtis Jones, who is a central midfielder but can also play on the left wing.

Two other strikers, Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi, are currently on the sidelines. The last option is to bring in James Milner on the left wing.

Possible Liverpool attack::

Oxlade-Chamberlain – Firmino – Jota
Jota – Firmino – C.Jones
Jota – Firmino – Milner

Source: Livesport