For Arne Slot, the timing of this setback could hardly be worse. As Liverpool fight to stay in contention for the Premier League crown, the loss of two of their most dangerous attackers is a devastating blow. Summer signing Florian Wirtz has already won the fans over with his creativity and vision, while Mohamed Salah remains the heartbeat of the side, a proven match-winner on countless occasions.
Without them, Liverpool’s attack suddenly feels vulnerable. The responsibility now falls heavily on Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz, but the absence of Salah’s ruthless finishing and Wirtz’s ingenuity leaves a significant gap. Newcastle, spurred on by their raucous home support, will view this as an ideal chance to exploit the weakened Reds at St James’ Park.
Supporters reacted with frustration as the news surfaced. Many labelled the double absence a “massive blow,” with some fearing it could derail the club’s momentum. “This is a nightmare—Salah is irreplaceable, and Wirtz has transformed our play. We’re going into this match without our biggest weapons,” one fan vented online.
Slot will now have to rethink his game plan. With two key figures missing, tactical adjustments will be unavoidable, and the rest of the squad will need to rise to the challenge. For Liverpool, this setback comes at a crucial point in the campaign—one that could have a lasting impact on their title ambitions.
