Imagine a football superstar like Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian king who's dazzled Anfield with his goals, suddenly finding himself sidelined not just from his club duties but from his national team's warm-up match. It's a tough blow for fans who rely on his magic, but it opens up a world of intrigue about Liverpool's future without him. How will the Reds cope if their star winger decides to move on? Buckle up, because this story dives deep into Liverpool's current struggles, potential replacements, and some eyebrow-raising suggestions that could reshape the squad. Let's break it all down step by step, so even newcomers to the Premier League drama can follow along easily.
Liverpool are gearing up for their next challenge against Tottenham Hotspur this Saturday, aiming to build on a recent streak of decent results. Their new manager, Arne Slot, has weathered a storm of criticism after a rocky start that had many questioning his position at the club. On top of that, a heated disagreement with star player Mo Salah added extra pressure on the Dutch coach. But things seem to be turning around: after a thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds, the team notched a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Inter Milan in the Champions League, followed by a convincing 2-0 triumph over Brighton at Anfield last weekend. With 16 matches under their belt, the reigning Premier League champions sit in seventh place, racking up 26 points. It's not the top spot they're used to, but it's progress—especially since they're just two points behind the top four, where Chelsea currently holds a spot.
And this is the part most people miss: Slot's tense situation with Salah appears to have eased, at least for now, after the two had a frank conversation. Salah is back in the fold and contributed to that Brighton win with an assist, even though he started from the bench again. For beginners wondering about the Premier League, it's England's top football league where teams battle it out over a season, with points awarded for wins, draws, and losses. The top four spots qualify for the lucrative Champions League, which is why Liverpool's position is so crucial.
But here's where it gets controversial... Salah's latest setback comes while he's representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a major international tournament held every two years for African nations, similar to the World Cup but on a continental scale. This year's edition is in Morocco, and Salah, at 33, is leading the Pharaohs as captain. Yet, in a surprising twist, he was left out of Egypt's matchday squad for their only warm-up friendly against Nigeria, which they won 2-1. Goals from Mahmoud Saber and Mostafa Mohamed secured the victory, setting a positive tone before AFCON kicks off next Monday. Egypt's group includes tough opponents like Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Angola, so every player counts.
Interestingly, this absence comes despite Salah not starting any of Liverpool's last five games. He returned to the Reds' squad for the Brighton fixture and made a real impact, proving his value even off the pitch. For football fans new to international play, AFCON is where nations like Egypt showcase their talent, often clashing with club schedules and causing fatigue or injury risks—key reasons why clubs sometimes fret over player availability.
Shifting focus to Liverpool's squad depth, the spotlight is now on Harvey Elliott, the young English talent who was loaned out to Aston Villa on transfer deadline day. What was meant to be a promising opportunity has turned into a nightmare for him; he hasn't featured in a match since a brief cameo against Feyenoord in the Europa League back on October 2. Villa faces a hefty £35 million bill to make him a permanent signing if he hits 10 Premier League appearances, but manager Unai Emery has signaled openness to letting him go, stating he hasn't been a consistent addition to their setup.
Now, here's the bold suggestion that's sparking debate: Former Liverpool and Everton star Don Hutchinson is pushing Slot to recall Elliott immediately. As a versatile player who can shine as a winger or attacking midfielder, Elliott could step in as a potential replacement for Salah if the winger opts to leave Anfield in January or the summer, or even struggles to reclaim his starting spot. Hutchinson, speaking to oddsboom, argues it's a smart move: 'If you're Liverpool, you're probably best off bringing him back and keeping him in the squad. They only had a short number on the bench at the weekend, and that's likely why Mo Salah got lucky with a bench spot—especially with injuries to players like Cody Gakpo, Wataru Endo, and Conor Bradley's suspension. It'd be a solid call for Liverpool.'
This idea isn't without its skeptics, though. Bringing back a player whose loan hasn't panned out might raise questions about squad management and whether Elliott has the spark to fill Salah's shoes. After all, Salah's blend of speed, skill, and goal-scoring prowess has been irreplaceable for many seasons. Is this a case of recycling talent, or could it backfire if Elliott doesn't regain his form? We invite you to weigh in: Do you think recalling Harvey Elliott is the right strategy for Liverpool, or should they explore other options? Does Mo Salah's international commitments make him more dispensable than we think? Share your thoughts in the comments—agree or disagree, we'd love to hear your take! For more Liverpool updates, join our WhatsApp community for daily football insights, special offers, and promotions. (And remember, you can opt out anytime; check our Privacy Notice for details.)
On a related note, if you're a fan looking to catch all the action, Sky Sports has a fantastic deal on their Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, slashing prices by £336 and giving access to over 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL, and more. They'll broadcast at least 215 live Premier League games next season, up from previous years—perfect for keeping up with every twist in Liverpool's campaign. (This contains affiliate links, so we might earn a commission if you sign up. Learn more about our affiliates here.)
