‘Problem with Liverpool is…’: Parlour thinks Klopp has a big issue coming his way

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Ray Parlour has told talkSPORT that Jurgen Klopp is facing a big problem when Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane leave Liverpool to compete in the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

Salah and Mane will leave Merseyside shortly into the New Year to compete for Egypt and Senegal at AFCON respectively. Both nations topped their qualifying groups with unbeaten records for the tournament set to start on January 9, with the final held on February 6.

Liverpool play two Premier League games, an FA Cup tie and possibly the EFL Cup semi-final second-leg in that run. They host Leicester in the EFL Cup quarter-final on December 22.

Klopp could also find Liverpool are without Salah and Mane for their vital trip to Chelsea on January 2. The Scottish Sun note FIFA have given a deadline of December 27 for players to report for AFCON duty. A potential hammer blow for the Reds when they visit the Blues.

Salah has been in sensational form so far this season with 10 goals and six assists in just 11 Premier League games. Mane has also scored the Reds’ second-most with six in 11 games.

Parlour thinks Liverpool have a Salah and Mane ‘problem’

So, given their form, Parlour thinks Klopp is facing a big problem when Liverpool lose Salah and Mane to AFCON. The Arsenal icon particularly feels Salah will be a loss. As his sublime form should show FSG that he is worth however much he wants in any new contract.

“I can’t look past Liverpool [challenging for the title],” Parlour said. “The problem with Liverpool is the Africa Nations, that can affect them big time, they lose Mane and Salah.

“[Salah]’s been unbelievable, frightening with how he’s played this season, the goals he’s scored. He’s done at the right time, because now he can demand what he wants really with his new contract.

“I’m sure his representatives are saying to Liverpool ‘wait a minute, he deserves £400,000-a-week’. If you’re Liverpool’s owners – yeah, he does deserve it, because what he’s done on that field has been absolutely brilliant. He does it week-in, week-out.”

Salah’s current £200k-a-week contract expires in 2023, but is yet to agree new terms with Liverpool.

Reports by TEAMtalk claim he wants to become the top-earner, but the Reds are reluctant to break their wage structure. He also does not want a £500k-a-week deal.