Mohamed Salah leaves Liverpool to play for Egypt in the African Cup of Nations, leaving Arne Slott with a lot to think about ahead of January’s transfer window open
Peter Crouch says Liverpool manager Arne Slott should use Mohamed Salah’s absence as an opportunity to use Alexander Isak alongside Hugo Ekitike in attack. After a tumultuous period, Salah left Merseyside to represent Egypt at the African Cup of Nations.
Salah clashed with Slott, accusing him of continuing the match and throwing him under the bus by leaving him on the bench. The pair mended their relationship in talks before last weekend’s 2-0 win over Brighton, but it remains to be seen whether they will be able to continue working together.
The 33-year-old is being courted by the Saudi side, leaving him open to a move in January. Salah waved goodbye to the Anfield faithful after contributing an assist to last weekend’s win over Brighton, but the meaning of the moment is ambiguous.
Former Liverpool striker Crouch has highlighted Salah’s outstanding contribution to the club, but believes now is the time for Slott to release both summer signings in the same team, with Saturday’s Premier League match against Tottenham on the cards.
read more: Arne Slott gives final verdict on Mo Salah after Liverpool star’s farewell remarksread more: Arne Slott confirms injured reinforcements for Liverpool’s trip to Tottenham, but seven players will be absent
“This is an opportunity for the partnership between Isaac and Ekitike to really flourish. For me, Ekitike will only start, no doubt. He’s been first class from the moment he came in and he has to start every game at the moment,” Crouch told Paddy Power.
“You could push (Kodi) Gakpo or (Florian) Wirtz to the right and start Ekitike on the left. I think he’s comfortable on the left. Personally, I wouldn’t put (Dominik) Szoboszlai on the right unless you play Ekitike and Isak together up top.”
Ekitike is by far the better of the two summer signings, contributing 10 goals in 23 games so far. Isak, on the other hand, has struggled to pick up speed, with two goals in 15 games, despite much more expensive additions.
Both players will be important to Liverpool’s future, whether or not Salah stays until his contract expires in June 2027. Crouch believes the jury is still out on whether Salah will push for a move away from the club in 2026, amid the confusion caused by Salah’s actions last weekend.
“The reception from the crowd was expected and well-deserved,” he said. “I don’t want to read between the lines at the moment, but he’s going to play in the African Cup of Nations, so I think the applause is because he’s traveling for that.”
“Is he going to leave full stop? Yes, potentially, but at the moment no one knows, I don’t think even Mo Salah knows for sure.”
“His social posts were too much. There’s no need to broadcast that publicly. I want him to talk to the manager behind closed doors. He doesn’t stop in the mixed zone very often so I thought it was really calculated. I’m not going to disrespect him as a player in any way. He’s been an incredible addition to Liverpool.”
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