Liverpool’s Plan Without Salah for AFCON – How Arne Slot Will Adapt

How will Liverpool cope without Mo Salah during AFCON? Arne Slot’s tactical plan, key changes and attacking adjustments explained.

Liverpool are planning for life without Mohamed Salah during the Africa Cup of Nations.

With Salah’s form dipping, his recent Premier League benching, and an important run of fixtures to come, the focus is now on how Arne Slot will reshape his attack, press and defensive structure without their talisman.

It raises bigger questions about the club’s future too, especially as fans continue to debate whether Liverpool should sell Salah.

Will Liverpool Cope Without Salah?

Liverpool’s 2-0 win away at West Ham offered the clearest glimpse yet of what their team could look like during AFCON – and potentially in a future where Salah no longer leads the right flank.

Slot did not call it a “dropping” as such, citing fixture congestion and the need for rotation, but perhaps it’s a sign that he’s preparing his side to function differently.

Salah was frustrated by the decision to leave him out. Slot openly admitted that the player was “unhappy” but stressed that such a reaction was normal for a player who has been central to Liverpool’s success for nearly a decade.

Despite that, the structure Liverpool displayed at the London Stadium highlighted why Slot may need an alternative approach while Salah is away with Egypt.

How Will Liverpool Replace Salah During AFCON?

Liverpool played with far more functional balance on the right flank, using Dominik Szoboszlai and Joe Gomez on different vertical lines to provide both creativity and defensive protection.

Unlike Salah, whose licence to stay higher and narrow has always been part of Liverpool’s plan, Szoboszlai dropped deeper, tucked inside, and helped patch the midfield gaps that have repeatedly cost Liverpool this season.

Cody Gakpo provided similar work rate and discipline on the left, working in tandem with Milos Kerkez. Together, these mirror movements gave Liverpool stability and allowed the attacking quartet to rotate fluidly in possession, often forming a 4-2-3-1 shape.

Without Salah’s need to stay high, Liverpool controlled transitions better and felt harder to play through.

While it was not perfect – West Ham were still able to expose defensive gaps during Liverpool’s 4-4-2 pressing moments – the overall shape was noticeably more compact.

The Role of Florian Wirtz Without Salah

Florian Wirtz produced his best Liverpool performance so far in the West Ham game.

With Salah absent, he took on far more responsibility in the No. 10 role, linking play, dictating tempo and connecting consistently with Alexander Isak.

The £240 million duo had combined for just three passes in the league before this match; they surpassed that in one half in London.

Both have endured difficult starts to life at Anfield and have faced scrutiny for failing to adapt quickly enough, as seen in discussions around who is to blame for Isak flopping at Liverpool.

Wirtz also showed improved defensive awareness, tracking back intelligently when Liverpool’s press lost shape.

Slot will need him to provide this dual contribution throughout AFCON, especially given Liverpool’s lack of training time between games and the need to establish clearer pressing roles.

Is Dominik Szoboszlai Liverpool’s Short-Term Salah Solution?

Szoboszlai may not replicate Salah’s goals, but he offers something Liverpool desperately need: balance.

Against West Ham, he made more defensive contributions than Salah had in previous games, winning duels, preventing overloads and protecting Gomez during transitions.

His ability to invert into midfield while still offering threat from the right gives Slot tactical flexibility. In possession, the team can morph into a 4-2-3-1, but out of possession, Szoboszlai can drop into a 4-3-3 or even a 4-4-2 block alongside Wirtz.

It may not be a long-term solution – Liverpool will eventually need a wide forward who offers Salah’s direct threat – but Szoboszlai’s positioning gives Liverpool the defensive structure they have been lacking.

Will Liverpool Change Formation Without Salah?

Slot appears close to settling on a hybrid approach:

• In possession: a fluid 4-2-3-1 with Wirtz centrally, Isak up top, and Szoboszlai/Gakpo providing layered width.

• Out of possession: a 4-4-2 press with Wirtz stepping forward alongside Isak, and wide players tucking inside.

The shift to Szoboszlai on the right, without Salah’s advanced starting position, makes these transitions smoother.

Again, Liverpool were still vulnerable at times, especially when West Ham overloaded the centre, but the plan is becoming clearer.

What Are Liverpool’s Biggest Problems Without Salah?

Even if the attacking structure appears promising, Slot still has work to do:

• The 4-4-2 press lacks clarity and leaves Liverpool exposed in midfield.

• Wirtz is still adapting to Premier League physicality.

• Isak remains isolated for long stretches.

These issues will matter far more against stronger opponents than West Ham. Liverpool dominated possession, meaning Slot focused coaching time on their on-ball approach – but harder tests are coming, and the defensive block must improve.

Can Liverpool’s Attack Thrive Without Salah?

If the West Ham performance is any indication, Liverpool’s attack can remain dangerous without Salah, provided Wirtz continues to grow, Isak becomes more involved, and the team maintains the positional discipline shown on both wings.

Last season, Slot was praised for adding defensive stability to Klopp’s attacking framework. Against West Ham, Liverpool rediscovered elements of that identity: intensity, control, and fewer individual errors.

This approach may be Liverpool’s best blueprint for navigating AFCON – and for preparing for life after Salah, whenever that day comes.