World-class winger set to RETURN to Liverpool

Without Mo Salah Liverpool are going to be celebrating the return of an elite winger.

The Egyptian is now away in Morocco having jetted out with his national team for the African Cup of Nations.

Depending on how far Egypt go in the tournament, Liverpool could be without Mo Salah for up to a month, meaning he could miss some crucial games, including the game against Tottenham but also a big clash at the Emirates against Arsenal next month.

With Cody Gakpo also ruled out, Arne Slot does have very few options in the squad to use on the wing. Liverpool haven't really had a back-up to Salah since he arrived at the club.

Obviously, recently we've seen Dominik Szoboszlai cover that position, although admittedly in a more defensive role.

But now Slot also has the option to use a more attacking player in that position, who has been one of the best wing-backs or wingers in Europe's top five leagues over the course of the last two seasons.

Speaking in his press conference ahead of Liverpool's game against Tottenham, Slot confirmed that Jeremie Frimpong will now finally return to the matchday squad and he is expected to be fit for selection.

We've not seen a lot of Frimpong. He initially arrived as a right-back but in recent times Slot has used him as a right-winger more often.

This makes sense considering Frimpong was pretty much playing as a winger under Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen and hitting world-class level.

17 and 26 goal contributions in his last two seasons respectively is up there with the very best players in the world.

Frimpong's speed and directness does make him a really good option to have on that right flank, especially in Salah's absence.

It remains to be seen whether he starts the Tottenham game. Given he's been missing for several weeks, it's probably more likely that Frimpong starts on the bench.

But just long-term looking ahead to December and January, it feels like this could be Frimpong's moment to explode in the team.

Liverpool very much see him as their future. He's been brought in because he can play multiple roles. However, if we're talking about his best position it's this advanced role as a right-winger rather than as a right-back.

That's where he can make the most impact and that's how Liverpool get the best out of him.

His presence should also bring the best out of the others in the team. Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz in particular could thrive with Frimpong in the side being that facilitator and runner for them.