Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp recently revealed his recruitment staff at the club eagerly persuaded him to sign Mohammed Salah from Roma in the summer.
The Egyptian international has been a revelation since his £36.9m switch from the Italian capital in June, scoring an incredible 12 goals in 17 appearances, more than what Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres achieved during their own early days at the club. Salah’s brace helped Klopp’s men to a 4-1 thrashing against West Ham on Saturday.
After the game, Klopp paid tribute to Salah, revealing how his signing was very much a collective effort:
“We watched Salah so closely, saw him so often. The scouting department was really behind me, and wanted to do it even earlier so that nobody else could jump in!
Klopp also added:
“We were sure he (Salah) can help us. Michael Edwards, Dave Fallows and Barry (Hunter), they were really in my ear and were on it: ‘Come on, come on, Mo Salah, he’s the solution.’
Indeed, Mohammed Salah has been worth the investment. Credit to Liverpool snapping him up so early in the summer transfer window with a host of clubs who would have desperately needed a player of his calibre.
Salah has been an absolute menace since his arrival on Merseyside. His pace – a trait we already knew about during his days in Chelsea colours in the past – his directness and sheer tenacity when out of possession, these are characteristics so dear to Klopp.
His goals against West Ham were the perfect examples as to why Liverpool were so desperate to spend a considerable amount of money on him. The first goal was a joy to behold, with 21 minutes on the clock, West Ham midfielder Lanzini lined up a corner in front of Liverpool’s travelling fans. West Ham had initially started the evening spectacle brightly, restricting Liverpool to only half-chances and almost taking the lead themselves when Andre Ayew struck the post.
However, in 13 rapid fire seconds after their own corner, West Ham found themselves behind.
The kind of defending that was described as utterly “shambolic” and “naïve” by various pundits on Sky Sports News last week in the draw against Crystal Palace, but also another example of just how dangerous and deadly Liverpool can be on the counter attack. According to Opta, they have scored more goals from a counter attack than any other Premier League side this season.
It was fitting, that the counter attack started and ended with Mo Salah. The Egyptian has been simply electric since his summer move, and his opener – coolly slotted beyond Joe Hart after a lung-busting run from his own half with Sadio Mane – set the tone for what was yet another impressive showing.
His second goal, a precise cutting edge finish low into the corner of the net, taking his tally this season so far to 12 goals in all competitions. Harry Kane is the only Premier League player to have scored more than Mo Salah. It’s only the 4th month of the season, and Salah is just two goals short of matching top scorer last season, Philippe Coutinho’s tally of 14 goals.
In defence, Klopp has some very well documented issues he needs to address. The criticism he has received for most of the season has been for which defender he did not buy in the summer. Yet, Salah just might be the best piece of business done by any of the top clubs in the Premier League.
Salah has been used on the right-flank for the majority of the season, but against West Ham on Saturday, he lined up alongside Roberto Firmino in what seemed to be a fluid 4-4-2 formation. A particular position he is unfamiliar with but a tactical move so in keeping with his flying start to life at Anfield, being able to adapt. For Roma, he often played as a second striker to Edin Dzeko last season – as a result, finding himself in similar goal scoring form for the Italian club.
Salah’s best moments during the game, came mostly in tandem with fellow speedster Sadio Mane. Klopp was largely reliant on Mane for pace and penetration last season, but the addition of Salah has been a breath of fresh air and has eased that concern, making Liverpool even more threatening on the break. The pair have already cooked up a delightful understanding which was perfectly evident in both Salah’s goals.
Salah’s devastating form is a far cry from his previous Premier League stint at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea. A certain perception that Salah was not a natural finisher, that his trickery, incisiveness and speed were undermined by a lack of composure. That perception has been consummately placed to rest. His stats in Italy were equally as impressive, scoring with 19% of his shots. Elite finishing, for a player not even considered to be your modern day centre forward.
There’s reason to see why Salah has become a huge fan favourite by the Liverpool faithful who constantly sang his name against West Ham, and the statistics underline the extent of his impact. As well as seven goals and two assists in the Premier League, Salah ranks in the top three for shots, dribbles and touches inside the opposition penalty area.
It has fallen into place so nicely for Klopp and his recruitment staff, it seems as though their thorough analysis of Salah before signing him has already been shown during his time at the club so far. With so much of the season still to play, it is frightening to think that there could be more to Mo Salah than meets the eye.
The Egyptian is only just getting started.
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