How would Mohamed Salah fit into Liverpool’s side?

The 21-year-old Egyption star has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield this month, and Henry Jackson (@OnFootballTweet) looks at how the Egyptian winger would slot into the Reds’ lineup should he sign.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu6jMk4d3kw

Mohamed Salah has been dubbed the ‘Egyptian Messi’ by some, and while he may never reach the level of the Barcelona maestro, the comparisons between the two are with reason.

The 21-year-old has superb natural ability, and is capable of playing either in a wide attacking position or in the hole behind the striker. He can beat players with ease and has an eye for goal.

The African is probably at his most natural in the ‘inverted winger’ position on the right- the term given for playing on the opposite side to your stronger foot, like Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery – drifting inside onto his wand of a left foot.

He showed that he can be equally deadly playing on the left, however, with his terrific late effort in the Champions League clash with Chelsea proving to be the difference between the two sides. He was arguably the best player in both games against Jose Mourinho’s side.

Salah was named Africa’s Most Promising Talent of the Year in 2012, and a year later won the prestigious Player of the Year award in the Swiss Super League.

At international level, he has scored a hugely impressive 17 goals in just 27 appearances since his debut for Egypt in 2011.

Salah has great pace to his game, and in terms of what he can add to Liverpool, he would bring another dimension to the Reds’ attacking game. But where would he fit into to Brendan Rodgers’ lineup, were he to move to Anfield?

The preferred wide duo at this current moment is Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling- Daniel Sturridge‘s return from injury may change the shape of the side and see Sterling drop out- but Salah is more than good enough to go straight into the starting XI.

Sterling is a very fine prospect, and a potential future Liverpool star, but at 19 he is still very raw and unpredictable. His finishing can be erratic while his final ball flatters to deceive at times. His form of late has been terrific, but in Salah they have someone more complete.

A front four of Salah (on the right), Coutinho (in a central role), Sturridge and Luis Suarez  is an absolutely mouth-watering prospect for anyone associated with the club.

One of Sturridge and Suarez could drift slightly left, but as a quartet they would be more than capable of interchanging with one another throughout games. Rodgers likes to play with fluidity, and these four would dovetail perfectly.

It is important to stress that no deal has been agreed for Salah yet, but there are certainly strong rumours of a move to Liverpool, if not this month then in the summer.

If the Basle superstar does make the move to Anfield, Liverpool will be acquiring a very exciting talent.

More from This Is Anfield

Fan Comments