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From Alex Teixiera to Mario Gotze, and Ben Chilwell to Nabil Fekir. Liverpool have missed out on a variety of different targets since Jurgen Klopp’s appointment in 2015.
The Reds obviously haven’t suffered on the pitch, with a Premier League title set to be secured once football restarts in the coming months, but one player has recently added to the long list of names who ended up avoiding Anfield.
Recently, over Instagram speaking to DZ Foot, Riyad Mahrez claimed that Liverpool desired his services before he teamed up with Pep Guardiola.
“Before signing at Manchester City, there was an interest in Liverpool for me, but as soon as they took Mohamed Salah, it was finished,” I have stated.
Players often speak about the Reds largely because of the status that surrounds the club, and in some instances, the claims made are hard to believe.
However, in the case of Mahrez, it’s likely that the Reds did admire his profile, particularly considering how the Algerian international referenced Salah’s arrival as the deciding factor behind the interest ending.
Salah is one of the most unique forwards in Europe for various reasons. He’s able to combine speed, scoring, creating, and a preference to use his left-foot, which isn’t very common.
Aside from a certain Lionel Messi, players such as Antoine Griezmann, Bernardo Silva, Kai Havertz and Paulo Dybala are left-footed, but none of those are fast enough to pose a threat in behind opposing defenses, with each being closer stylistically in comparison to Roberto Firmino rather than Salah.
His preferred foot is integral to the dynamic that his team offer in attack. He and Sadio Mane are speedy, penetrative, wide attackers, both of whom operate on the opposite flank to their preferred foot. This allows them to cut inside, operate centrally and shoot, rather than darting down the wing before crossing.
Firmino complements the pair perfectly, by operating in a central position and regularly retreating into midfield, which creates space in and around the penalty box for his two offensive teammates to drive into.
Mahrez, alongside his City teammate Leroy Sane, is one of the few left-footed talents who possesses goals, chance creation and crucially, pace.
If Liverpool wanted a player who’s in the mold of Salah to play on the right of Klopp’s attacking trio from 2017, Mahrez certainly fitted that criteria. He would’ve been able to perform similarly to how Salah has since moving to Merseyside.
Despite the sensible link, though, it’s reasonable to suggest that the Reds made the correct decision by investing in the Egyptian international.
The 27 year-old attacker has bagged a total of 70 Premier League goals for Liverpool in around 8,431 minutes – which equates to a goal every 120 minutes.
Once including assists, Salah then averages a scoring contribution in England’s top-flight every 86.9 minutes.
His record is remarkable. Mahrez would’ve thrived in the famous red jersey, but it’s unlikely that he would’ve reached the level of output that Salah has showcased.
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