Pundit Chris Sutton has suggested that Liverpool’s January opponents will feel buoyed by the absence of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
The Reds have enjoyed a strong start to the season, and remain unbeaten in their seven Premier League games.
Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City keeps that record intact, and Jurgen Klopp will hope for a title push.
There is a problem on the horizon though, and that’s the Africa Cup of Nations at the start of 2022.
Liverpool are scheduled to lose both Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, who will be representing Egypt and Senegal respectively.
Naby Keita is also set to feature for Guinea, but Salah and Mane are the big misses.
Liverpool surely don’t have the attacking depth to cope with both Mane and Salah going away – and Sutton believes it could hurt.
Sutton comments on Salah and Mane’s Liverpool hiatus
Pundit Sutton has told the Daily Mail that games against Brentford and Crystal Palace should still be winnable.
However, Sutton thinks Brentford and Palace will both get a ‘big lift’ from Salah and Mane being out against them in January.
It’s a while until those games, but Sutton clearly feels that Liverpool could have a problem on their hands during the Africa Cup of Nations.
“The Africa Cup of Nations runs from January 9 to February 6. In that time Liverpool are scheduled to play Brentford and Crystal Palace, most likely without Salah and Mane,” said Sutton.
“You may say they’re still winnable games for Klopp’s side. But believe me, Brentford and Palace’s players will get a big lift out of seeing Liverpool lining up without two of their best players,” he added.
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