Liverpool need to get the ball to Mohamed Salah if they’re to do some damage against Chelsea in today’s game.
That’s the view of former Liverpool winger Steve McManaman. Commentating for BT Sport, McManaman said Salah holds the key for the Reds today.
“That’s the area I think Liverpool have to play down, their right, Chelsea’s left, where Mo Salah is,” he said.
“He’s the experienced one, if he’s up against Badiashile, Cucurella or even Lewis Hall. He’s the one you’d want to drive Liverpool forward. That’s where I’d be giving him the ball as quickly as I could.”
Liverpool lacking threat vs Chelsea
There’s no question that Salah is the dangerman in the Liverpool team today. Still without the likes of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, the Reds look a little light up top.
But that in itself is a bit of a problem. That’s because Mo hasn’t looked like doing anything at all so far.
It isn’t as though Liverpool haven’t been trying to get him going down the right. They do seem to have recognised that this is where they could get the most joy.
With Chelsea sitting in with a back three though, there hasn’t been enough space to get Salah in.
On the one occasion he was able to create some space, he executed a nice pull-back for Cody Gakpo. The Dutchman leant back and blazed over, though.
That half-chance aside, Liverpool haven’t really threatened. Although they’ve looked a little more solid than usual in the middle, the lack of potency is still a worry.
Jurgen Klopp may not have wanted to use Darwin Nunez today, as he recovers from a knock. But unfortunately, he looks like the only answer for Liverpool right now.
Hopefully we see the Uruguayan in the second-half. He has built up a good understanding with Salah during their six months or so together. Should he get on, he could help to unlock the Egyptian. 0-0 at half-time.
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