While Arne Slot seems to think that Liverpool’s starting line-up is stronger without Mohamed Salah, the winger has been conspicuous by his absence in recent weeks, with the Reds struggling to score goals without their talisman.
It’s clear that they need their Egyptian King back at Anfield as quickly as possible. Salah, though, is desperate to extend his stay at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Indeed, he’s not even attempting to hide just how much the tournament means to him.
“I have won almost every honour in the game,” Salah said on Saturday, “but this is the one I am waiting for.
“Everyone wants to achieve something for his country, so I hope we succeed. I think there is no one in Egypt who wants to win the Africa Cup of Nations more than me. I have achieved everything except this title.”
He went agonisingly close twice before, of course, as Egypt didn’t just lose in the final four years ago; The Pharaohs were also beaten by Cameroon in the 2017 tournament-decider. So, when Salah says he’s been “withstanding” the weight of expectancy for “a while”, he’s putting it mildly.
