Arne Slot set to hand Liverpool duo huge opportunity in Mo Salah’s absence | OneFootball

Mo Salah’s Absence Creates Opportunity in Liverpool Attack

Liverpool prepare for a decisive winter period knowing Mohamed Salah will be away with Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations. With the tournament running from December 21 to January 18 in Morocco, the forward could miss up to a month of action at a stage of the season that regularly defines title ambitions. As noted by Anfield Watch, “Salah could miss up to a month’s worth of action over a busy part of the campaign,” and that prospect has prompted fresh debate about Arne Slot’s selection strategy.

Forward Rotation Under Scrutiny

Slot has managed Federico Chiesa carefully so far. The Italian has contributed two Premier League goals yet remains a rotational option. Anfield Watch highlighted that the manager “has been reluctant to use Federico Chiesa from the start of matches this season,” a pattern that is expected to shift during Salah’s absence. Chiesa’s direct running and aggressive final third movement give Liverpool a natural replacement profile, although he will not be the only player affected.

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Slot’s use of Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo on the left has reshaped the competition for minutes. The detail that Wirtz played wide against Real Madrid and Manchester City, cited in the original article, was described as having “knocked Ngumoha further down the pecking order.” That choice underlined Slot’s preference for technical security in high-stakes matches.

Ngumoha Set for Increased Exposure

The central question is how many minutes Rio Ngumoha will see. The Athletic’s report, quoted prominently, states that “Salah’s departure to AFCON in mid-December could offer more opportunities until he returns.” At 17, Ngumoha is still easing into senior football, having played only half an hour of Premier League action this season. However, Slot admires his dynamism, and internally there is belief that short bursts of opportunity could accelerate his development.

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One source close to the squad suggested that “Ngumoha has been training with a confidence that demands attention.” Another figure around the academy pathway added that “the staff feel he is ready for selective exposure rather than continuous starts.” These insights reflect a club committed to managing his trajectory responsibly.

Competition, Expectations and Timing

There is curiosity around when his next start will arrive. Anfield Watch report that it “may not come until the new year when Liverpool face their first FA Cup match of the season.” Even so, this AFCON window changes the rhythm of Liverpool’s front line. A busy schedule, combined with tactical flexibility, has historically allowed emerging talent to seize headline moments.

Ngumoha’s story, from leaving Chelsea at 15 to signing his first professional deal earlier this season, remains one of the more intriguing long term pathways at the club. Slot will not rush him but understands that opportunity shapes progress.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

Liverpool supporters will be watching the Salah situation with mixed emotions. The AFCON absence is familiar territory but the timing always hurts. With the team defending their Premier League crown under Slot, losing a world class contributor for up to a month intensifies pressure across the front line.

The fanbase is particularly keen to see Ngumoha receive meaningful minutes. His arrival from Chelsea sparked excitement, and every academy update has only fuelled the anticipation. Many supporters feel that if he is ever going to break through, this stretch without Salah provides the cleanest opening. Even short cameos could give the youngster a platform to build trust with supporters and coaching staff.

There is also a wider curiosity about Chiesa. Fans have noted his limited starts and wonder if this is the moment when Slot leans on his experience. Some supporters believe Chiesa’s direct style could thrive with a consistent run. Others prefer Wirtz drifting inside, allowing Gakpo or Nunez to create central overloads.

What unites the fan opinion is the belief that Liverpool have built a deeper, more versatile squad under Slot. While losing Salah is always significant, supporters are confident that the team have multiple solutions. If Ngumoha steps up during this period, it could become one of the defining stories of the season.