Liverpool's preparations for a crucial Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur have been overshadowed by fresh concerns over star forward Mohamed Salah and mounting pressure on manager Arne Slot to address his attacking options.
Salah's International Setback Amid AFCON Campaign
Despite linking up with the Egypt national team for the 2025/26 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where he will captain the Pharaohs, Mohamed Salah suffered an immediate setback. The 33-year-old was omitted from the matchday squad for Egypt's sole warm-up friendly, a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in Cairo on Tuesday.
This exclusion comes despite Salah having recently returned to action for Liverpool, providing an assist in their 2-0 win over Brighton last weekend after being named on the bench. His absence from the starting lineup for that match extended a run of five consecutive Liverpool games without a start for the prolific winger.
Egypt, drawn in a group with Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Angola, begin their AFCON campaign next Monday. Salah's fitness and form will be critical to their hopes, even as his club future continues to generate speculation.
The Elliott Dilemma: A £35m Solution for Slot's Forward Line?
Amid the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Salah's role and long-term position at Anfield, former Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison has publicly advised manager Arne Slot to consider a radical move. Hutchison has urged the Dutch boss to recall Harvey Elliott from his season-long loan at Aston Villa.
Elliott's move to Villa Park has proven disastrous for the young midfielder, who has not featured since a brief Europa League substitute appearance on October 2nd. A clause in the loan deal would require Villa to pay £35 million to sign the England international permanently if he makes ten Premier League appearances—a scenario now looking highly unlikely.
Villa manager Unai Emery appeared to confirm Elliott's peripheral status, stating, "He is on loan playing with us, but he is not definitely adding to us with a permanent contract."
Why a Recall Makes Sense for Liverpool
Hutchison argues that recalling the versatile Elliott, who can operate on the wing or in attacking midfield, would bolster a squad that looked thin recently. He pointed to Liverpool's bench against Brighton, which was depleted by injuries to Cody Gakpo and Wataru Endo, and the suspension of Conor Bradley.
"If you're Liverpool, you're probably best off bringing him back and keeping him in the squad," Hutchison told oddsboom. "I think it'll be a good move from Liverpool to bring him back."
The suggestion positions Elliott, a two-time Premier League winner with Liverpool, as a potential long-term replacement or immediate cover should Salah's situation change, either in the January transfer window or next summer.
On the pitch, Slot has steadied the ship after a difficult period that included questions over his future and a reported fallout with Salah. Following a 3-3 draw with Leeds, Liverpool secured a 1-0 Champions League win over Inter Milan before the Brighton victory. The reigning champions currently sit seventh in the table with 26 points from 16 games, just two points off the top four occupied by Chelsea.
The resolution of talks between Slot and Salah has provided temporary calm, but the coming weeks at AFCON and the January transfer window will be pivotal in determining the next chapter for one of Liverpool's greatest modern players.
