Liverpool’s sneaky acquisition: Unveiling Liverpool’s unnoticed replacement for Mohamed Salah

Liverpool could face another period without Mohamed Salah in the upcoming year as the forward is expected to lead Egypt as their captain in the Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament, scheduled to take place from January 13 to February 11 in Ivory Coast, could see Salah miss at least five matches, including crucial Premier League encounters. If Egypt reaches the final and Liverpool progresses in the FA Cup and League Cup, the number of potential games missed rises to eight or even ten with the possibility of replays.

In the previous edition of AFCON in 2022, Liverpool had to cope without Salah for six matches, as he helped Egypt reach the final, only to lose to Senegal on penalties. During his absence, players like Diogo Jota, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Takumi Minamino, and Kaide Gordon were deployed on the right side of the attack. However, Jota remains the only viable option among them, as Oxlade-Chamberlain has departed the club and Minamino was sold to AS Monaco last summer. Additionally, Gordon has been sidelined due to injury since February 2022.

Last season, Harvey Elliott also stepped up in Salah’s rare absence. When AFCON commences in January and February, it is expected that the responsibility of covering for Salah will be shared by Jota and Elliott, with the possibility of Luis Diaz also contributing. If fit, Gordon might make a comeback, but the emergence of the highly-rated youngster Ben Doak has potentially shifted the dynamics within the squad.

Liverpool’s decision not to pursue a new forward during the summer transfer window, despite Roberto Firmino’s departure, can be partly attributed to the progress of 17-year-old Ben Doak. The club wants to prioritize the development of this talented right-winger and believes that the attacking department is adequately covered with Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo joining Salah, Jota, and Diaz as the five-man senior quota.

Although some fans have expressed their desire for additional attacking reinforcements, along with a new senior right-back, Liverpool is unlikely to address those requests. Instead, the club’s current priorities lie in acquiring a third midfielder and a left-sided center-back due to budget constraints. Liverpool’s management understands the need to allocate their resources wisely, focusing on areas that require immediate strengthening in Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

However, Liverpool may have found a creative solution to address Salah’s absence in the form of their latest midfield signing, Dominik Szoboszlai, for a fee of £60 million. The former RB Leipzig playmaker possesses incredible versatility, capable of playing as a number eight, a number ten, and even on the flanks. Alongside fellow summer arrival Alexis Mac Allister, Szoboszlai is expected to occupy the advanced midfield positions in Klopp’s tactical setup.

While the primary focus has been on strengthening Liverpool’s midfield, it should not be overlooked that Szoboszlai can also serve as an alternative to Salah in the front three. Despite predominantly operating as an inverted forward cutting in from the left, his ability to play on the right flank was showcased during his time at RB Leipzig. Last season, out of his 46 appearances, Szoboszlai played 31 games on the right, contributing eight goals and 12 assists.

Although he has limited experience in Liverpool’s preferred formations, such as the 4-3-3 and 3-2-2-3, his previous performances on the right flank suggest that Szoboszlai is well-suited to fulfill the advanced midfield role on the right side, forming a dynamic partnership with the inverted Trent Alexander-Arnold and Salah. In the absence of the Egyptian, Szoboszlai’s versatility makes him the most suitable player to occupy the right-wing position, without disrupting Jota or Diaz in their preferred positions. Furthermore, his ability to provide an alternative on the left flank further solidifies Liverpool’s decision to acquire the 22-year-old Hungarian.

Jurgen Klopp has always valued versatility in his players, stemming from his own experiences as a former defender and striker. Liverpool’s squad has demonstrated this versatility over the years, with players like James Milner and Fabinho capable of playing multiple positions. Klopp views this adaptability as a strength rather than a weakness, as it allows him to build a well-rounded and flexible squad.

In the signing of Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool has not only added another piece to their long-awaited midfield revamp but also secured a player who embodies the versatility and adaptability that Klopp values highly. Szoboszlai’s presence will undoubtedly contribute to Liverpool’s pursuit of success, both as a midfield playmaker and as a valuable asset in Salah’s absence.