Mohamed Salah to play key role in Federico Chiesa leaving Liverpool in January
Liverpool are open to offers for Federico Chiesa in the January transfer window but his immediate future at Anfield could depend on Mohamed Salah.
Salah will lead his Egypt side at the Africa Cup of Nations which will run between December 21 and January 18, not including travel and time for the players to train.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the Reds are reluctant to weaken Arne Slot‘s side while the 32-year-old is away and will rely on Chiesa as more of an important option in the wide areas.
As a result, should Egypt go deep into the competition, any January departure for the Italy international may be taken out of his hands with the Reds set to block interest.
This comes after Football Insider revealed in October that Liverpool are planning to keep Chiesa as a strong option from the bench after a positive start to the season.
Mohamed Salah could prevent Federico Chiesa’s sale
Football Insider revealed on 28 November that Liverpool could cash in on Chiesa amid ongoing interest from a number of clubs in the Serie A.
Chiesa has been on the fringes of Arne Slot’s squad this season despite opting to remain at Anfield during the summer, and could now be tempted to move on.
However, Salah’s participation at AFCON will likely prove pivotal with regard to the Italy international’s future ahead of the January transfer window.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “As you said, there will always be interest from Italian clubs in Chiesa if he does become available.
“He has been used more frequently this season, but more of a fringe player coming off the bench, he’s only had two starts and both in the EFL Cup.
“Whether Liverpool would consider letting him leave in January, that remains to be seen.
“Obviously, Mo Salah goes away to the African Cup of Nations, so will Liverpool want to weaken the squad by letting another attacking player go? That remains doubtful.
“I can only see Chiesa leaving if Liverpool were to bring in a replacement.
“But it seems Chiesa despite not starting regularly he is happy at Anfield and happy to fight for his place and will do his best whenever he does get the chance.“
Salah on list of Liverpool concerns amid Arne Slot pressure
Arne Slot is coming under increasing pressure at Liverpool following a dismal run of recent form, and the players are being widely criticised as a result.
Mick Brown told Football Insider on 27 November that Slot is facing growing problems at Liverpool, the biggest of which is the downturn in his star players’ displays.
Salah, alongside the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Alexander Isak, have been named as leading concerns given their failure to show levels previously expected of them.
This comes after Football Insider revealed on 24 October that Salah has a “problem” at Liverpool as he is struggling to turn in consistently impressive displays.
Meanwhile, Curtis Jones publicly called upon his teammates to show some fight in the wake of their midweek Champions League defeat against PSV.
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