Jurgen klopp is facing a hugely important january without talismanic top scorer mohamed salah, but he is confident he will find an acceptable alternative among the attacking options at his disposal. Salah will fly to the african cup of nations after newcastle on monday, the first of at least six matches, which includes an fa cup match against arsenal and a two-legged carabao cup semi-final with fulham.
As egypt prepares to fly to the ivory coast next week, the 16-goal forward will be second in the premier league goalscoring standings behind only erling haaland, who has 12 goals in the top flight this season. Klopp has had to deal with it in the past and is confident that his team will do so again as they look to maintain their position as premier league leaders. It isn’t the first time you lose a goalscorer, but when sadio (mane) and mo left, it was even worse,” he said.
We made it work, and one of them went way too far in the tournament, which made it worse. We all knew the africa cup of nations would come up from time to time, and mo has to travel, and we also have (wataru) endo as a participant in the asia cup (played at the same time), so it’s as it is. We have to deal with it and we will.
Since i have no idea who is available in october, what long-term strategy i could have had depended on who is available. so why should i wait until mo is away? I hope we have solutions today after the newcastle game, and i hope we have those as well.” diogo jota’s return after a month out injured is a boost as the portugal international scored a comeback goal against burnley on boxing day. Jota’s versatility means he can play across the forward line, as can cody gakpo, while harvey elliott has played in salah’s position, considering that he is more of a midfielder in klopp’s system. “the return of each of the boys is extremely important, but diogo is particularly important. Everyone was genuinely pleased with our five choices, but, to be honest, i don’t think we had it that often.” Klopp said, “it’s so important that these boys can rotate, and with mo leaving and endo leaving we need everyone to return.”on jota’s return, klopp said: “the game is blessed with some of these players who really understand the game on a different level, and he is one of them.” “it gives him the ability to see the situations a little earlier and to adapt to new situations that the opponent is doing a little bit quicker.
On top of that, he is both-footed and a great finisher. “we found a good rhythm and a good balance in these last few games, even though the results weren’t always great,” he said. “it gives you a positive feeling, you’d probably call it momentum, and for that you need to be connected and be together in the right place at the right time.”and it isn’t all good news, though, as left-back andy robertson’s recovery from a dislocated shoulder is expected to keep him out for the rest of january.
