The timing couldn't be much worse. Mohamed Salah's hamstring problem might not be serious enough to end his season, but it's going to keep him out of Sunday's clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

For a player who has made United suffer like few others, this is a significant blow. Salah has scored 16 goals against them during his Liverpool career, more than any other opponent, with 10 of those coming at Old Trafford alone. No visiting player has scored more at the stadium during the Premier League era.

But football waits for no one, and Arne Slot needs to find a solution for the right flank. Here are his four realistic options.

The most obvious choice is Jeremie Frimpong. The Dutchman has finished the last two matches in that position after coming off the bench, and he was signed partly to cover for Salah during the Africa Cup of Nations. Injuries disrupted those plans earlier in the season, but Frimpong has shown he can create chances from the right and possesses the pace Liverpool will need to hurt United on the break.

The complication is that Frimpong has started in the role just twice since early January, and Slot might need him at right-back instead.

With Hugo Ekitike already sidelined long-term and Alexander Isak the only other recognised striker, Liverpool's attacking options are thin. However, versatility could be the key.

Cody Gakpo represents the second option, though he hasn't started on the right in over two years. The alternative would be to move him there and deploy Rio Ngumoha on the left, but asking a 17-year-old to make just his third Premier League start at Old Trafford feels like a massive gamble.

Slot's third possibility involves tactical reshuffling. United have improved their attacking output since the new year, though they rely more on short bursts of intense pace than sustained pressure. This could prompt a more conservative approach, with Dominik Szoboszlai dropping into a withdrawn role on the right.

There's even the possibility of a 4-2-2-2 formation, with Szoboszlai on the right of a narrow midfield alongside Isak and Gakpo up top. This would also provide natural cover for Curtis Jones if Slot continues using him at right-back.

The fourth and least likely option is Federico Chiesa. The Italian was signed almost two years ago specifically to provide Salah backup, but he's started just once in the Premier League this season. His only other start on the right flank this calendar year came in the FA Cup victory over Barnsley.

United away has always been a fixture where Liverpool's biggest names step up. Without their Egyptian king, someone else will need to seize the moment and make Old Trafford their stage.