The Reds are set to be without their Egyptian star between January and February, but the ex-Bolton star believes Jurgen Klopp’s men can cope
Former Super Eagles captain Austin Jay-Jay Okocha Liverpool have a big squad to cope with the impending exit of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
Liverpool will be without Salah and Mane between January and February due to their involvement with Egypt and Senegal, respectively, in the Africa Cup of Nations.
It’s a big blow for Jurgen Klopp’s men as both players are very important members of the squad. Losing Salah especially will be a massive miss for the Reds as the Egyptian has been Liverpool’s best player and the best player in the world this season.
The former AS Roma has been key to Liverpool’s brilliant start to the season with 15 goals and seven assists in just 15 matches.
And with him and Mane set to miss some matches in January and February, Liverpool’s title challenge could suffer.
However, Okocha believes that the Reds have enough to deal with their absence, although he admits it could also affect them.
“Well, I think you can always put that into consideration, but I think they have a big squad,” Okocha told Ally McCoist and Gabriel Agbonlahor on their Talksport breakfast program.
“They must have done their homework, putting Africa Nations Cup into consideration.”
“And then South American Cups comes up in the summer, which deprives some players of their holidays.”
The former Super Eagles captain also gave his opinion on who will win the Premier League title this season, saying it all depends on squad management.
“I think it’s all about how you manage your squad and whoever manages better in January, I think, stands a very good chance of winning the title,” he added.