Liverpool face Tottenham on Saturday in the Premier League as Arne Slot’s side attempt to string together top flight wins after victory against Brighton
Liverpool are aiming to secure back-to-back Premier League victories when they take on Tottenham this Saturday. After a triumphant clash against Brighton, Arne Slot’s squad currently hold seventh spot in the table.
Despite kicking off the season as genuine title contenders, a series of defeats derailed the Reds’ championship defence. The ongoing saga with Mohamed Salah, who expressed feeling “thrown under the bus” due to reduced pitch time, has further complicated matters. Slot’s team will be looking to ascend the league standings with a win in north London, but the outspoken Salah will be absent.
He has joined the Egyptian squad for the Africa Cup of Nations. Despite Egypt being among the favourites, a recent prediction doesn’t paint a rosy picture. The ECHO brings you the latest news from Anfield, including a setback in the January transfer window and a plea from a former Liverpool star.
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Salah’s early AFCON exit predicted
Egypt, seven-time AFCON champions, have a strong team this year spearheaded by Salah. However, a new supercomputer prediction suggests an early exit for them. As Salah’s home country gears up for matches against Zimbabwe, South Africa and Angola, BookmakersCameroun.com predicts they’ll advance from the group.
However, it’s the round of 16 where they anticipate Egypt will falter. The supercomputer forecasts a surprising 1-0 defeat to Comoros at this stage, leading to their elimination.
The last 16 fixtures at the tournament are scheduled between January 3 and January 6. With Liverpool facing Arsenal on January 8, this timeframe may prove too tight for Salah to feature if he departs the competition at that stage. However, he could potentially be back in contention for the FA Cup tie against Barnsley on January 12 should this scenario play out.
Marc Guehi blow
Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi came within touching distance of joining Liverpool during the summer before a £35million deal fell through. The Reds are anticipated to renew their interest in the England international eventually, but comments from Guehi’s manager suggest a January move is unlikely.
Having kept hold of his club captain in the summer window, Palace boss Oliver Glasner has indicated that the 25-year-old will remain at Selhurst Park for the remainder of the campaign.
“I think Marc will stay until the end of the season,” Glasner stated, speaking before his team’s Europa Conference League fixture against Finnish outfit Kuopion Palloseura.
Liverpool only pursued Guehi following the Community Shield clash against Palace in August. Chairman Steve Parish recently suggested that the Reds might have secured the defender’s signature had they initiated talks earlier.
Former Red makes plea
One player who departed Anfield over the summer was Harvey Elliott. The 22-year-old joined Aston Villa on loan in September in an arrangement that reportedly contains a £35m obligation to buy once he reaches 10 appearances, yet the midfielder has struggled for game time.
This lack of playing time has prompted ex-Red Don Hutchison to advise the club to bring Elliott back. Speaking to Oddsboomhe said: “If you’re Liverpool, you’re probably best off bringing him back and keeping him in the squad.
“They only had a short number on the bench at the weekend and probably that’s why Mo Salah was a little bit fortunate that he made the bench, because you know, (Cody) Gakpo was injured.
“(Wataru) Endo was injured and (Conor) Bradley was suspended. So I think it’ll be a good move from Liverpool to bring him back. But it’s bizarre how he’s not got any game time over at Villa.”
