Mo Salah has a new haircut for AFCON as he links up with the Egyptian National team. Liverpool will be without him for a while.
Mo Salah is officially away from Liverpool now. He's linked up with the Egyptian National team as they prepare to compete for the AFCON trophy.
It's one that means a lot to Salah, of course. He reached the final last time out, only to fall at the last in a penalty shootout against Senegal. Salah, who was supposed to go fifth in the shootout, didn't even get to take his spot-kick.
And so the Liverpool star is ready to go one better this time around. In fact, he's shown up to his national side with a new haircut, as shown off in a Twitter post by Egypt.
Our king is here 😍#egyptnt pic.twitter.com/Qi3qFD2ExK
— Egypt National Team (@EgyptNT_EN) January 5, 2024
A fresh look for the tournament then, as Salah attempts to add another trophy to his CV - one that would likely mean the world to him.
Liverpool certainly have concerns while Salah is away. The winger has been arguably their best player this season and unquestionably their most important forward.
In fact, Salah had a remarkable 2023 and was particularly special over the first half of this season. Liverpool also lack any direct replacements for him on the right flank and will need to tinker a little to cover his absence.
We've had a look at four different ways Jurgen Klopp and co. can cover his absence but it certainly won't be simple. Or predictable, for that matter.
In fact, Salah isn't even the only first-team Liverpool player away from the club right now. Wataru Endo has joined up with Japan to play in the Asian Cup this month - a player who's been vital over the last month, winning the December Player of the Month award for Liverpool.
Covering both will certainly be a challenge.