Arne Slot admits Liverpool have an over-reliance on Mohamed Salah however is assured the returning Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott could be enough replacements ought to the Egyptian be hit by damage.
Salah has scored 11 objectives and added seven assists in 13 Premier League video games this season, remarkably numbers which have performed a key function within the Reds establishing a nine-point benefit over Arsenal on the high of the desk.
The previous Roma ahead missed six weeks firstly of 2024 with a hamstring damage sustained on the African Cup of Nations and whereas Slot is assured Liverpool might cope with out him, he would reasonably Salah stayed match.
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The Reds are on the street to tackle Newcastle United at St James’ Park 🏟️🔴 pic.twitter.com/1cJia0wkBa
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 3, 2024
Talking forward of tomorrow evening’s journey to Newcastle, Slot mentioned: “Is it a hazard placing an excessive amount of on him? A bit, however just for the truth that he can. It occurred to him final season that he can get an damage as nicely and since Federico Chiesa has had a tough begin to the membership due to accidents, we don’t actually have a substitute for Mo.
“The great factor is that Harvey Elliott is getting fitter once more and he performed this place many occasions as nicely. I’m not afraid that Mo’s numbers will drop in any respect. In terms of an damage of him, then we’re in a greater place on the left wing than we’re on the precise.
“Federico can also be coaching with us. He’s getting again and Harvey is getting again, however the very best factor that may occur to us is that Mo stays match and retains producing these numbers.”
Window opens in lower than a month
If Liverpool did determine to bolster their choices on the precise wing then January represents their subsequent alternative.
The membership have been comparatively quiet in the summertime window however Slot says they proceed to scour the marketplace for alternatives.
“We’re having discussions every single day, regardless of if there’s a window arising or not,” he mentioned. “We at all times speak concerning the workforce, which gamers we like, which gamers are perhaps not in the very best place.
“From the start of the season, I used to be so, so proud of the squad. That’s to not say if there will likely be an opportunity available in the market, this membership won’t look. This membership has at all times proven it’s going to work.”
The pitchside views of Cody’s opener 😍#TeamPixel | #Advert pic.twitter.com/EJKbTeJZqE
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 2, 2024
Gomez to proceed tomorrow evening
Joe Gomez will deputise once more for the injured Ibrahima Konate at St James’ Park tomorrow towards a membership he was closely linked with over the summer season.
Gomez impressed towards Manchester Metropolis on Sunday and Slot is an admirer of the 27-year-old Londoner.
“Everybody sees his high quality, however [his performance against City] reveals his mentality. It’s not at all times simple to come back in throughout the recreation and play and achieve this nicely.
“He’s affected person in a great way, he’s at all times prepared each time the membership or his team-mates want him and that’s particular in terms of his mentality as a result of not many gamers can do that for therefore a few years that he has.
“Final season, he performed many, many, many video games, you would name him a starter that season and, in another seasons, he was extra of the second alternative in each different place within the final line.
“For him to maintain doing this, in all probability tells you a large number about his mentality but in addition, what he does each day in coaching classes as a result of he’s extremely match and he’s able to carry out. That’s extra particular than folks assume it’s. That’s positively true.”
We’ve been right here earlier than – Slot
Slot doesn’t really feel his gamers will likely be fazed by their benefit on the Premier League summit given the experiences they gained beneath his predecessor Jurgen Klopp, who had Liverpool usually competing for the title.
He mentioned: “This membership, this workforce, these gamers are used to the truth that they’re high of the league or they’re competing for each trophy in order that helps. Additionally they have that have that they’ve competed for a very long time.
“Additionally they know win the league towards the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Metropolis, as a result of I see these three as our principal opponents for the time being. All of them know that for 9 to 10 months, we have now to be on high of our recreation.”
