Liverpool started this season with high hopes of being in the title mix. Eleven matches into the season, the Reds find themselves 5th in the Premier League table on 19 points, 12 off the pace-setting Manchester City at the top.
However, we are still in the race for top-four, if not the title, and that’s due to our new signing Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian winger joined the club in the summer in a record deal from AS Roma and has transformed the fortunes of the club.
Salah was snapped up for around £34m from the Serie A outfit. That record has since been eclipsed by Naby Keita who would join Anfield next season but Salah’s influence at the club is unbelievable.
According to former Reds ace Gary Gillespie, the winger’s goals have been crucial in keeping Jurgen Klopp’s men around the top-four. Signed primarily as a conventional winger, Salah has surprised many, including his manager with his goals.
Talking to the Liverpool Echo, Gillespie indicated that Salah’s pace makes him an asset for Klopp’s side as it pace makes him a thorn in the flesh of many sides.
“He’s got the one thing people hate, and that is pace in abundance, and I’ve never actually seen him get knocked to the floor or fall over.”
Salah has already impressed with his pace, troubling sides with his runs and has also established a good partnership with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sadio Mane. Once the Senegal star returns to full fitness, the duo would make Liverpool’s attack one of the most feared ones once again.
Gillespie also feels that Salah has silently surprised many, with his goals.
He added: “He’s got 12 goals, but he could easily have had 20 because he gets in goal scoring positions on numerous occasions and not quite finishes it.
“We’ve all been screaming for an out-and-out goal scorer. It comes in an unlikely figure in Mo Salah.”
Gillespie reckons that the Reds squad has found a natural goal scorer in Salah and the fans are enjoying every bit of it. He feels that the Kop faithful could end up idolising Salah before the end of this season making him one of the most revered players.
So, is Salah really the game changer for Klopp this season? For all his troubles at the back, the German tactician knows that it is vital for his forwards to keep scoring as many as they can. With doubts persisting over the availability of Mane, Salah’s goals could be crucial to the campaign.
