Liverpool Transfer News: Reds Must Not Be Deterred from Mohamed Salah

Basel's Mohamed Salah could be on his way to the Premier League if recent reports are to be believed.

The highly rated youngster, known as the "Egyptian Messi," is a wanted man, and Brendan Rodgers is hoping to conclude a deal for a player he has been chasing for some time.

According to ESPN, the Swiss champions want around £12 million for the player, with Liverpool unwilling, at this point, to go above £7 million.

Ross Dunbar of the Daily Mirror notes the qualities that would make Salah an instant hit at Anfield:

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Despite playing notably wider than most attacking forwards—those who aren’t wingers—he has the intelligence to find space, while playing in an inverted style on to his left-foot, and he is willing to come out wide to get the ball. [...]

Sharp decision-making and movement is key to the Egyptian’s overall game and Salah has superb composure in-front of goal.

He rarely does boring tap-ins either, finishing intricate moves with conviction and as seen against Chelsea, he's especially clinical when presented with a chance on his left-side.

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With six goals in 24 appearances in all competitions this season (per WhoScored.com), Salah's 1-3 ratio is more than acceptable for a wide man.

A constantly rotating front three, alongside Messrs. Suarez and Sturridge, is a mouth-watering prospect indeed, with Salah's style and sense of purpose an easy fit into the expansive game that is becoming Brendan Rodgers' hallmark at Anfield. 

Ariel Schalit/Associated Press

It's evident that Rodgers generally favours either a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation, and slotting Salah into either would work effectively. 

His lightning pace—he has been compared to Usain Bolt by coach Murat Yakin per Dunbar's article—will trouble the meanest of Premier League defences, and his ability with both feet give him the option to go either inside or down the flanks.

The option to tuck him in behind Suarez is also open to Rodgers, the players' skilful hold-up play and passing range right out of the top drawer.

At just 21 years old and with his best years ahead of him, Salah fits the profile of a typical Rodgers' signing: young, hungry and eager to prove that he can do the business at the very top level of European football.

His star continues to rise, as noted by James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo:

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In 2012 the youngster's exciting potential was recognised when he was crowned the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Most Promising Talent of the Year.

Last term he picked up the Swiss Super League Player of the Year award after leading Basel to the title.

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Many will question the need for another attacker given that the Reds are well catered for in this area; however, Salah's skill set is complementary to what Rodgers already has in-situ, and he has already showed his class at the highest level, scoring in both legs of the Champions League against Chelsea:

For the sake of a few of John Henry's millions, Liverpool will kick themselves if they let the youngster slip through their fingers.