Liverpool have the weekend off before facing Barnsley in the third round of the FA Cup. It’s not exactly a break given that it means the squad will be involved in two matches within the same week, but it is nice to get a week-and-a-half between tilts in the Premier League to get some folks a little more healthy and, perhaps, get one major player that much closer to returning from a major international tournament.
That return, though, will be pushed by at least one more match-day as Mohamed Salah helped
to lead the Egyptian National Team past the Ivory Coast into the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations. The 3-2 victory was a big one and the Liverpool winger played a central role in helping the Pharaohs advance, notching a goal and assist in the match.
Pre-tournament, Egypt looked like they might have a path to a deep run. Having beaten the winners of the previous edition of the competition, they’ve got to be counted among the favorites to not just make the Final, but to win it all.
Liverpool’s offense could certainly use a sharp Mo Salah chipping in; Liverpool struggled to make much of anything against Arsenal and the times they’ve looked most dangerous over the past few weeks have been when they’ve been able to stretch the field vertically. Salah may not have the legs to offer that specific piece to the attack, but I feel like the squad could run that bit on tilt by having the Egyptian King be one of the forwards benefitting from what Jeremie Frimpong creates after beating their man.
Still, even if this writer is eagerly awaiting his return, it’s great news for Mo Salah to have Egypt in such a prime position. It would absolutely be a phenomenal capstone to bring home this trophy for his homeland.
Here’s hoping Mo continues to find joy at the tournament and that, after taking a well-earned break, he comes back to the squad healthy and ready for the run-in. We’ll need him in prime scoring form to try and make the most of this season.
