Liverpool could be without Mohamed Salah for up to six games.
December is upon us and that means the busy festive football schedule is underway, with fixtures coming thick and fast for the Reds.
They have six games this month, as well as three in early January, highlighting just how important squad rotation is going to be.
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Should Mohamed Salah start against Sunderland?
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool warms up during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at London Stadium
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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One player who will be missing for a lot of these games, though, will be Salah while he is at AFCON, meaning a spot on the right wing opens up for someone else.
Many fans may think that this will give Federico Chiesa the chance to finally show what he can add to the team, but by the sounds of it, Arne Slot has other ideas.
Arne Slot wants to try Jeremie Frimpong at right wing again
Jeremie Frimpong during Liverpool's game against Southampton in the Carabao Cup at Anfield
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
The good thing about Liverpool’s squad is that many of their players are so versatile that Slot can ask them to play in multiple positions without any worries.
Jeremie Frimpong is one of those who can play in a few different positions, with these mainly being right-back and right wing.
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While Salah is away, though, it sounds like the latter is where he will be playing most, with The Athletic reporting that Slot wants to try him further forward once again.
He played at right wing against Galatasaray and it did not work at all, but that does not seem to have put his manager off.
They report that after recovering from injury, Slot is intrigued to see how Frimpong gets on covering Salah while he is away, suggesting he could get a good run of games in this position.
He plays there regularly for the Dutch national team so it will not feel unfamiliar to the 24-year-old, although other players might be a little annoyed if he gets the nod instead.
Federico Chiesa will be fuming
Chiesa has been one of the most professional players at Liverpool all season as despite barely getting any game time, not once has he thrown his toys out of the pram.
He continues to work hard and takes his chances when he gets them on rare occasions, yet he has, somehow, not proven himself to Slot.
Is this the beginning of the end for Salah?
Mohamed Salah looks dejected during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
Mohamed Salah after 13 Premier League games 24/25:
11 goals
7 assists
Mohamed Salah after 13 Premier League games 25/26:
4 goals
2 assists
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While Salah is away, the Italian seems like the obvious choice to play in his position as he is an out-and-out winger, and Liverpool do not have many of these.
But instead, Frimpong looks to be the choice, suggesting Chiesa might be better off with a move away ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
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