Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has explained the natural development that saw Mohamed Salah used as a striker this season.
In an excellent interview with Goal, the Dutchman talked us through why Salah is being used more as a no. 9 for the Reds.
And it all comes down to how the Egyptian is developing as a player, explained Lijnders, but also the role that Jurgen Klopp and the backroom staff wanted Roberto Firmino to occupy.
Because of the skill Firmino has, the brains trust decided to trust him with a freer role in the formation. But that meant a move for Salah into more central areas – and this is something that should be seen as a benefit.
More from Rush The Kop
- Set to return, Virgil Van Dijk facing heavy criticism back home
- Liverpool making late comebacks all the rage once again
- Wolves tilt gives Klopp opportunity to tinker with lineup following international duty
- Players to watch in the matchup with Wolves
- Predicting Liverpool’s Next Five Premier League Fixtures
“For him it’s great. He’s closer to the goal, he can use his speed more, he’s more where we want him to be. That’s a natural development for him,” said Lijnders.
The Dutchman goes into more detail about the team and especially Fabinho in the interview, which is well worth a read.
But that section on how they see Salah, his strengths and how he might play moving forward is really interesting. Some fans have been slightly critical of his new role through the middle and may feel it limits Firmino – and preliminary evidence from the start of the season may suggest that.
However both Bobby and Mo are now playing with great freedom and scoring goals. Salah has 20 for the season in all competition, Firmino 11 – but with five assists to go along with those strikes.
Last season the Brazilian grabbed 27 from 54 games as he completed one of the best campaigns of his career. An early summer sluggishness prevented Bobby from getting off to an electric start, but this change in role may bring about a small sacrifice for the greater good.
Because Liverpool only finished fourth last season and fell at the final hurdle in the Champions League, but they might bring home a whole lot more success this time around.