Liverpool’s title challenge this season could be negatively impacted by the fact that their front three have all been on international duty this summer, according to Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas.
Mo Salah and Sadio Mane were both in action at the African Cup of Nations, while Roberto Firmino helped Brazil to a Copa America title.
And Nicholas is of the belief that their efforts on the international stage could hamper their club form.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, he said: “Naturally, I am going for Liverpool to finish second.
“Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah have been busy in pre-season, along with Roberto Firmino, in their respective tournaments. These three will have to take some form of breather this season, and I am not convinced they have strengthened in midfield or defence, although Joe Gomez will be fit which is a big help.
“I still feel, the way it stands today, that they will not be as dynamic as they were last season. There will be a certain amount of fatigue with the front three, so Liverpool will finish second.”
OPINION
Ordinarily, you would agree with Nicholas, but that front three aren’t cut from the same cloth as other footballers. All three featured at last summer’s World Cup in Russia, and all three had superb season last term, culminating in a Champions League title. Taking Sadio Mane as an example, the Senegalese winger featured in all three of his nation’s group stage matches before their exit last summer, and was still able to come back and have arguably his best season in a red shirt to date, registering a Whoscored rating of 7.43 in the Premier League. Obviously, another summer of action is less than ideal for the trio, but they are finely tuned professionals, and if there was one triumvirate you would back to deal with that kind of pressure, it would would Salah, Mane, and Firmino.
