Arne Slot recently confirmed that Liverpool could face up to seven matches without Mo Salah, with the Egyptian set to link up with his national team for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and depart on 15 December.
His final match for the Reds before he leaves is expected to be against Brighton on the Saturday prior. So often the team’s most decisive attacker, the 33-year-old has been uncharacteristically tame so far this season.
He never played at all against West Ham last weekend and initially watched on from the bench as the Reds drew 1-1 against a resilient Sunderland side three days later. While he did come on as a sub in that game, he again failed to make a meaningful impact, though not for a lack of trying.
Salah remains a Liverpool legend
Despite all the recent noise about his form this season, Salah remains revered at the club, and he will likely be sorely missed as an attacking option for Liverpool in the coming weeks. Should Egypt make it to the final of AFCON, seven games away from his club could prove to be a very long wait, especially given the Reds’ atrocious form.
Among many prominent online sports betting sites accepting bitcoin deposits in the UK, Egypt is currently priced as 6/1 to go all the way. That makes them the second favourites behind Morocco, who are currently priced at 14/5 to become the next AFCON champions.
Crypto sports betting has become a huge hit among football punters by covering a wide array of international tournaments. By enabling players to place their wagers using Bitcoin, these platforms are able to offer benefits like instant payouts and easier registration processes. As a result, many UK punters are expected to place wagers on AFCON matches, given how easily crypto can be used to make cross-border payments without exorbitant fees.
However things go for Salah at the tournament, nobody associated with Liverpool will be relishing the thought of not having him available for that many matches. As the team heads into the busy Christmas period, his experience and ability to pop up with decisive winners could prove crucial.
Salah’s absence must prompt summer signings to step up
Slot’s gamble on benching him again against Sunderland wasn’t well received among many fans, especially as the team failed to win. On the other hand, given how lacklustre his season has been so far by his incredibly high standards, many believe this may give new signings like Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak more opportunities to learn how to play better together.
With Salah turning 34 next year, like it or not, the new signings represent the long-term future of the club. However, each will have to reach incredibly high standards if they’re to ever come close to one day reaching the Egyptian’s iconic status at Anfield.
Despite having one of his worst seasons at the club so far, nobody of a Reds persuasion will ever forget what a giant of the Premier League he has been for all these years. Even at 33, his intensity and desire for goals and assists has never waned.
If all goes well for the Egyptian King, a good showing at AFCON may just be the tonic he needs to rediscover his scoring touch for Liverpool.