Peter Crouch tells Arne Slot how Liverpool can 'flourish' without Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah has left Liverpool to play for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, and former striker Peter Crouch has told Arne Slot how the Reds can thrive in his absence

Peter Crouch has offered Liverpool his opinion(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool boss Arne Slot ought to view Mohamed Salah's absence as a chance to deploy Alexander Isak alongside Hugo Ekitike in attack, believes Peter Crouch.

Salah has departed Merseyside to represent Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations following a tumultuous period. The Egyptian winger had a public falling-out with Slot, accusing the manager of undermining him by benching him for consecutive fixtures.

The pair reconciled their differences in discussions prior to last weekend's 2-0 victory over Brighton, though questions remain over their future working relationship. The 33-year-old has attracted interest from Saudi Arabian clubs, leaving the door ajar for a potential January departure from Liverpool.

Salah bid farewell to the Anfield supporters after providing an assist in the Brighton triumph last weekend, though the significance of that gesture remains unclear.

Former Liverpool forward Crouch has highlighted Salah's remarkable impact at the club, but reckons the time has arrived for Slot to field two of his summer acquisitions together, with Saturday's Premier League clash against Tottenham offering the perfect platform.

"This is a chance for the Isak and Ekitike partnership to really flourish. Ekitike just has to start for me, absolutely no doubt. He's been class from the moment he's come in, and he has to start every match at the moment," Crouch told Paddy Power.

Mohamed Salah is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations(Image: Getty Images)

"You could push [Cody] Gakpo or [Florian] Wirtz over to the right and start Ekitike off the left, I think he's comfortable off the left. I wouldn't have [Dominik] Szoboszlai on the right personally, unless you play Ekitike and Isak together up top."

Ekitike has been comfortably the superior of the two summer acquisitions, netting 10 goals across 23 appearances thus far.

In contrast, despite commanding a significantly higher fee, Isak has found it difficult to find his rhythm, managing just two goals in 15 outings.

Both players will prove crucial for Liverpool's prospects, regardless of whether Salah remains until his contract expires in June 2027.

Crouch reckons the verdict is still pending on whether Salah will seek a departure from the club in 2026, with his behaviour last weekend proving puzzling.

"The reception from the crowd was to be expected and deserved," he said. "I don't want to read between the lines at the moment, he's going to the Africa Cup of Nations, so I'll assume the applause is because he's going away for that.

"Is he going to leave full stop? Yeah, potentially he could. But for the moment, no one knows, I think not even Mo Salah knows for sure. His posts on social did go too far, you don't need to air that in public.

"Have that discussion with the manager behind closed doors. He doesn't often stop in the mixed zone, so I thought it was quite calculated, really. As a player, I would never disrespect him, he's been incredible for Liverpool."