Been one of the best players in serie A over past two seasons. And one of the best wingers in Europe (outside of Bayern Real and Barca). He was very raw when we first went in for him but looks like hes developed very well. Added more to his game than just being a speed merchant. And very good output as well. As mentioned before - he'll be gone to the AFCON, and he predominantly plays RW ...
Salah would be an exciting signing - I would have preferred someone like Douglas Costa but Salah is basically another Mane. VVD would be a huge signing of intent for obvious reasons. Keita would be the most exciting signing if we get it over the line. Such an unusual player because he can literally do everything.
Left to me, I do not want Salah because he snubbed us before. However if we cannot get better value for money for what we are going to pay for him, why not?. I think it was Jose Mourinho's fault then.
Certainly if we're looking for someone to offset the loss of Mané then it would make no sense at all.
If we have up to four players .going to AFCON every two years, are we going to cope for six weeks. That's for management to determine. World cup 2018, another AFCON in January 2019. Can they shift the AFCON to summer time?.
I'll admit I haven't watched Serie A so the last 2 seasons I'll purely going off various research (not YouTube!), match reports etc. It seems like he's evolved so much since being at Chelsea. Two season's running he's been player of the season for Roma (iirc). We all know how fast he is (if you don't he's seriously rapid) but he's added goals and assists to his game. For a winger his record for scoring etc is insane. I think the major issue with this is people are thinking 'well he was **** for Chelsea, so not that bothered' but I think people are not looking at the whole picture. He was 20/21 when at Chelsea. He's now 24/25 and has improved dramatically. But to answer your question he's far from just a speed merchant. His close control is insane, his decision making has improved massively (hence the assists). Quite clearly he can shoot, so he'll get plenty of goals. I think if we weren't close to signing him in 2014 and he never went to Chelsea people on here would be seriously impressed with this transfer. He's about as fast as Mane and has similar skills. The problem is Mane is our RW, I'm hoping Klopp is thinking of mirroring that on the Left. Salah can play on the left, I'm hoping Klopp is planning an absolute mare for opposition fullbacks with them 2 speeding down the flanks. Something else I've noticed is Salah already plays in a typical offensive Klopp way. Real quick breaks with high energy. I actually see him fitting in very well. Coutinho playing in that deeper role (which he is now even playing for Brazil) pinging balls to our speed merchant wingers. Not sure who's going to be the main striker though (we need one imo). Is Klopp thinking of sticking with Firmino in the middle and hoping our top players all get 10+ goals?
I think let's assemble the best squad we can for this coming season and we can assess the impact of the AFCON on our squad next summer. Plenty of things can happen in 18 months.
Thanks sky. Would you play DS down the middle? Sounds like if we get him we'd have tactical flexibility between 433 4231 and 352
Spreading the goals around isn't a bad thing though because the loss of one player isn't as crucial. I still don't think speed alone is the answer to our problem of breaking down stubborn defences. Sturridge's little end of season cameo has reminded us of how a player with his abilities can trick their way through, but as always the problem with him is can we keep him fit if he stays? If Salah has improved his close control then that will be an asset, but pure pace only works when you have room to use it.
Perhaps, but people brought up there may be used to the heat but maybe not combined with the level of exertion required for a top class game? I believe most of them play their season in winter (if they have one- doesn't make a lot of difference if you're on the equator). Also, a fair number who qualify for African teams were raised elsewhere.
No bids made for Liverpool and Arsenal transfer target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, insist Borussia Dortmund
Actually June July is relatively cold South of the equator. It even snows sometimes in SA. The notion that the Afcon cannot be played during the European summer is just a fallacy. Most league campaigns are usually underway during this period and the off period is during January. It's more to do with the African football calendar.
I'd love to be able to say yes we're play DS down the middle, he'd be the perfect striker for that formation - but realistically his injury record is too bad to rely on. Although Origi has his moments I don't see the progression yet, he's still too raw to rely on. Klopp could go with Firmino in a false 9. I think we need to buy a quick off the shoulder striker and play a 4-2-3-1 I'd like ------------Keita----Countinho----------- Mane-----Firmino/Lallana------Salah -----Injury free Studge/New striker------- Either that or play Coutinho higher and bolster the back with a better DM, Can maybe? This means Keita can play more of his natural game by going box to box. With Phil next to him he'll have to be more disciplined... In an ideal world we'd get Lacazette in for the striker. But tbh as things stand we'll be lucky to get Keita and Salah over the line without any hiccups!
For anyone interested in his speed and close control there are some great examples here - (I know it's YouTube and they could make me look good - but you can clearly see his pace and skillset)
I don't want to engage in any comparison to other players for the money etc etc. My question is do you think he will improve us against massed defences and help us play the high press klopp wants.
