Talking Tactics: How can Liverpool cope without Salah?

Jurgen Klopp looks in need of a plan B at Liverpool. 

The Reds' success this season has very much been built on the form of Mohamed Salah. 

Yet that leaves them vulnerable if the Egyptian has an off-day or is unavailable, with the winger set to be representing his country in the Africa Cup of Nations. 

Ahead of Liverpool's Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with West Ham tonight, we take a look at Klopp's attacking options. 

Salah reliance

Liverpool have played 25 matches this season, with Salah featuring in 23 of them. 

The forward has started 20 games, including all 17 Premier League clashes.

With Liverpool scoring 36 times, which means Salah's 11 strikes account for 30.5% of their tally. 

That will leave Klopp with a headache when the Egypt international reports for AFCON in January. 

As brilliant as Salah has been this season, there will also be occasions when he does not deliver, as was the case in the frustrating 0-0 draw with Manchester United on Sunday. 

Jota return

Diogo Jota is back in training after a hamstring injury and his return could be crucial to Liverpool's hopes of coping without Salah. 

The Portuguese is their second top scorer this season with eight goals from 17 appearances. 

When you consider that only 11 of those have been starts, it is an impressive record. 

Liverpool's assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders gave an update on Jota's fitness this week. 

He said: "Diogo is doing ball work on the pitch so that is getting closer and closer. 

"But always with hamstring injuries you have to be careful, we always say when they come back give them another two or three days for sure." 

Winging it

Jota is an option to slot in on the right of Liverpool's attack when Salah is away. 

So too are Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo, with the latter having often been used in a midfield position this season. 

With Salah rarely succumbing to injury, there are precious few opportunities for squad members to show their prowess on the right flank. 

Harvey Elliott is one such player. The left-footer arrived from Fulham as a winger in 2019 but Klopp has mainly used him as a midfielder in recent times. 

So Klopp is not short on options to replace Salah and it will be fascinating to see if someone can grasp the opportunity to make the slot their own, albeit on a short-term basis. 

Can Darwin evolve?

Salah's loss would be less of an issue if Darwin Nunez was a more reliable finisher. 

He has only scored four Premier League goals this season despite having an xG of 9.10 from his 16 games. 

The Uruguayan striker is contributing, with seven strikes and seven assists from his 24 appearances across all competitions. 

Yet for a player that is so adept at getting into goalscoring positions, Nunez's lack of composure is a worry. 

With the 24-year-old now in his second season at Anfield, Liverpool need him to step up. 

Salah's stint on international duty would be the perfect time for him to do so.