Liverpool are reportedly nearing a prospective £40million deal to sign AS Roma’s highly productive forward Mohamed Salah. The Reds would have to spice up the quality of their squad to face the animosity which the Premier League, as well as the Champions League, would have on offer for them in the upcoming season and they are apparently doing just that.
Without any shadow of a doubt, the deal has the gravity to grab the headlines of all the major dailies, if it materialises eventually that is, and a transfer involving such a humungous sum of money comes with its own pros and cons and we have compiled one for our readers:
Pros
Salah had been in absolutely fantastic form in Serie A for AS Roma last season, banging 15 goals, garnering 11 assists and making 2.3 key passes per game on an average and no wonder why his stocks have risen to a whole new pedestal ever since his move to the Italian capital. His movements and positioning sense in the final third have been exemplary and it looks like he left his frustrating Chelsea days well behind him.
By luring him to the Anfield, Jurgen Klopp will be able to beef up the quality in his offensive game plan. The Egyptian international thrives on pace and has the technical edge for unlocking stubborn defences. He has perennially been a threat during the counter-attacks and pleases the football fraternity time and again with his trickery and shrewd passes.
Besides, he is a versatile player and could be pencilled in the central attacking midfield slot, right wing, as well as a striker and this attribute of his, makes him a complete utility man. Also, let’s not tend to forget that his finishing skills have improved commendably and he has indeed grown into a perfect poacher in front of the goal.
Cons
If he is stationed on the right wing, where would Sadio Mane play? Mane was arguably one of the most productive players in the Premier League last season and it is unlikely that he would be pulled out of that slot. If he is used on the left wing, his calibre on the ball would be handsomely curtailed.
He doesn’t have much of English top flight experience to account for and plied in the Europa League with The Wolves last season, implying that he isn’t in good touch in the elite European competition. Moreover, the 24-year-old might have to cater to the African Cup of Nations and thus, could be an absentee for a month or so.
Will he be an apt buy? Only time shall tell.
Statistics Credits: WhoScored