Mohamed Salah was playing in a slightly different position to usual in the first-half against Everton today.
That’s according to BT Sport commentator Steve McManaman. Commenting on Salah’s positioning during the first 45 minutes, the pundit said he thought the Egyptian was playing more centrally than usual.
“They’ve pushed Mo Salah more centrally haven’t they as well,” said the former Liverpool winger. “He was playing out-wide more before. That’s changed, he’s gone and played in the middle. They’re trying to find a formation that works.”
Salah was barely in the game in the opening half as Liverpool struggled to make much impact in an attacking sense.
Liverpool’s front-three getting used to each other
The opening half at Goodison Park has been a disappointing one from Liverpool. After Wednesday night’s euphoric late winner against Newcastle, there was hope of a fast start from The Reds.
It hasn’t panned out that way, though. Liverpool only managed to threaten Everton in the final minutes of the half. Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz both rattling the woodwork.
There was some debate as to who Jurgen Klopp would go with up-top. Nunez’s return from suspension gave the manager a decision to make, with Roberto Firmino in good form.
Klopp perhaps surprisingly went with Darwin, maybe hoping his direct style could cause Everton some issues.
It’s just Nunez’s second Premier League start though, and it’s so far been clear that it may take he, Salah and Diaz some time to gel.
As a result, this will inevitably lead to some different positions being taken up by the three. They’re still searching for the best way to play together. It’s clear that, so far, they’re yet to find that.
They’ll get there. But in the mean time, having Salah centrally and closer to the goal isn’t a bad idea. In the opening games part of Liverpool’s problems have come from their forward players being too far apart.
If Mo can get into a position to threaten through the middle, Liverpool will be the better for it in the second-half. There were signs towards the end that Darwin was starting to click. Let’s hope that can continue in the second 45.
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