Jurgen Klopp is without Mohamed Salah at the moment, with the Liverpool talisman currently representing his national team at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Egypt played their first match of the tournament on Tuesday afternoon, losing 1-0 to Nigeria who rank amongst the favourites to win the competition, with Salah occupying a new role.
Carlos Queiroz is taking charge of Egypt, and the former Manchester United assistant opted to field his star player through the middle rather than using Klopp's template and deploying him on the right flank.
Salah failed to find the net against Nigeria but regardless of his muted performance, the tactical switch could offer an insight into his future usage at Anfield, especially considering he's now 29 years-old.
READ MORE: FSG and Liverpool playing dangerous game as Salah uncertainty ramped up
TRANSFERS LIVE: Mohamed Salah contract latest, Raphinha blow, Eduardo Camavinga fee
As the Egyptian international continues to age, he will naturally begin to slow down in a physical sense.
Salah keeps himself in immaculate condition but over time, he's likely to lose some of his acceleration and pace in particular, which could impact a tactical shift.
As Salah's skill set changes, he could be used as a central striker more often moving forward, especially if he agrees to sign a new contract to keep him at the club until around the age of 33.
It is reasonable to suggest that players over the age of 30 are less suited to performing as wide players within Klopp's intense 4-3-3 system, which demands regular sprints up and down the flanks for 90 minutes at a time.
Based on Salah's minutes as a starter for Liverpool in the Premier League, he's averaged a goal or an assist roughly every 105 minutes as a wide forward on the right, compared to one every 77 minutes when used through the middle.
With Roberto Firmino's contract set to expire at the end of next season, Salah could inherit his place in the centre of the park, which would allow Liverpool sign a new wide forward to replace the Brazilian rather than a new striker.
Salah's future remains undecided at present, with Klopp stating his contract situation is 'nothing to worry about' during his press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
"Things take time," said the German, but if he does eventually renew his deal, the Premier League's top scorer could spend the majority of his next Liverpool contract as a striker rather than a wide forward.
Egypt are back in AFCON action this evening, in a 7pm kick off against Guinea-Bissau.
