Liverpool handed ‘massive’ boost after ‘huge’ Salah update – pundit
Liverpool have handed a “massive” boost after it was confirmed Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita will be available for the trip to Chelsea on Sunday (2 January).
That is the view of ex-Tottenham and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, speaking exclusively to Football Insider after an update on the availability of the quarter.
All three are due to represent their respective countries in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
However, as quoted by Anfield Watch on Monday (27 December), Jurgen Klopp revealed the “good news” that all of them will be available for the game at Stamford Bridge.
They will be released to their national teams later than originally planned to allow them to feature in the top of the table clash.
“Liverpool are going to be hit by the Africa Cup of Nations by losing three of their quality players,” Robinson told Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs.
“They’ll be a miss. I’ve always said if Liverpool are going to be serious title challengers they have to be there or thereabouts when the Africa Cup of Nations finishes and these players come back.
“For them to be released late though is massive. Especially having them for such a big game against a title rival in Chelsea.
“It’s not a six-pointer, not at this stage of the season. But if you were to take three points off your title rivals it gives you a massive advantage.
“To have those three players available is a huge boost for Liverpool.”
Salah will captain Egypt at the tournament while Mane will skipper Senega who reached the final of the 2019 tournament.
Meanwhile, Keita is a member of the Guinea-Bissau squad.
In other news, Liverpool have been tipped to sign the ‘next Mohamed Salah’ after an Echo update in the last 24 hours.