Will Mohamed Salah’s absence lead to Liverpool fading in the Premier League title race?

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Liverpool rang in the New Year with a 4-2 win over Newcastle United at Anfield. The win was claimed thanks to Jurgen Klopp’s trademark high-pressure, heavy metal football.

For 90 minutes Liverpool smothered Newcastle, despite the visiting team claiming two goals, the home side were dominant.

Mohamed Salah starred for the Reds on the night, claiming Man of the Match thanks to a two-goal performance.

The win left Liverpool in first place, three points ahead of surprise-package Aston Villa and five in front of Manchester City and Arsenal, respectively.

With 45 points from 20 matches, Liverpool should be riding high, but now comes a time in the league in which Klopp’s team must find a way to win Premier League matches without Salah.

Salah has joined up with his Egyptian teammates for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. The event could see Salah miss around six weeks of matches for Liverpool.

Of course, his absence will depend on Egypt’s progression in the tournament. In the previous edition, Egypt reached the final. Fortunately for Liverpool, this time around, Salah won’t be joined by any teammates.

Salah has been a part of 22 goals (14 goals and eight assists) in 20 league appearances. No other Liverpool player is in double digits in the league. Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota are nearest Salah in scoring, but both forwards have just five goals this season.

Despite Nunez’s high workrate, he continues to miss chances – or against Newcastle, have them saved. The Uruguayan does have six league assists, including one for Salah’s opening goal against Newcastle.

Nunez has accounted for 11 goals (five goals and six assists). Jota, on the other hand, has made just 14 league appearances due to injuries. He has contributed to six total goals (five goals and one assists).

Jota will need to step up in Salah’s absence and will likely see a significant upturn in playing time. Then there are Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo.

Diaz had a Man of the Match performance against Newcastle until Salah stole the spotlight with two goals. Diaz has not been at his best this term. Personal issues (his father’s kidnapping) have played a part in his lack of production on the left side.

The Colombian only has three goals and an assist in 19 appearances. Meanwhile, Gakpo, who scored against Newcastle and played on the left side as a substitute, also has three goals and one assist.

Salah’s absence will be massive. The Reds scored 43 goals in their opening 20 games, the second-most in the league. Salah contributed to over half of those goals (goals plus assists).

Klopp will have to hope the four forwards available can pick up the slack. Of course, all four are very capable of scoring goals and creating them. The issue will be whether they can fill the hole Salah leaves behind for the next

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