Liverpool: Who will be the forward line against Sevilla if Salah is missing?
By David Gate
With the news that Mohamed Salah may miss tonight’s game against Sevilla, what should our forward line be in his absence?
As Liverpool fans watched yesterday’s open training ahead of our Champions League with Sevilla, there was one notable absentee: Mohamed Salah.
Related Story: 3 reasons Sevilla is perfect game for Coutinho's return
The Egyptian winger had shown no previous signs of injury, nor were there any indications from the club that he would be missing. Eventually the news came out that he had reported to training sick with an illness. The medical team sent him home to bed.
The hope at this point is that it is a 24-hour bug and he is able to suit up tomorrow. Depending on how ill he has been there is a chance he will make the bench but a starting berth is looking increasingly unlikely.
That would be a huge blow to manager Jurgen Klopp and for the fans who have been waiting for our return to the Champions League. Many have been excited about the prospect of seeing Coutinho play with Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino for the first time.
The Brazilian has yet to play for Liverpool this term and with Sadio Mane’s impending suspension the only chance we will have to see that quartet for a few weeks is in the Champions League. Salah’s illness will likely rob us of that.
So who will start in his place? While many will say Coutinho, with Mane shifting back to the right, I think we are more likely to see Daniel Sturridge. Coutinho will be more valuable in the midfield three than as the left forward.
In that scenario, Mane would move to the right and Firmino drop into the left role with Coutinho playing deeper.
If Klopp decides he wants a straight replacement and leave Mane on the left then he will probably go for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who has played right forward many times for Arsenal.
Next: 4 Liverpool players who will benefit from Mane's suspension
With it being a European night game at home I guess that Klopp takes the more attacking route and plumps for Sturridge up front.