Should we move Salah central?

[JohnnyRocket]

Just a thought, but with the new contract sorted, is there a case for moving Salah to play as the central striker next season?

At 32, in order to squeeze what we can from him - would it not be less taxing for him to play centrally rather than out wide? He's shown to be exceptionally good at creating chances for others, so we could give him a Harry Kane/Firmino type of role, and spend the resources we have on a new wide right forward?

 

[Bradley]

I know he went in there a few times under Klopp but I can't remember him doing anything significant in that role. It makes sense logically but there's nothing to suggest it would work well.

 

[Modo]

Please God no!

 

[binomial]

NO

 

[StevieM]

I don’t think it would work well given what we expect from our central attacker and also why move him from the position he excels?

 

[Squiggles]

I've wondered it in the past, especially as he's no longer regularly beating the fullback, but I suspect it would have to be in some form of 442 set up, which would create more issues than it solves as well as going from having only having one highly effective RW to zero.

Can't see it.

 

[mark1975]

He needs more support outwide though. He looks much better with Bradley/Trent and Elliott around him, they link well and he suddenly starts making things happen.

 

[Dreambeliever]

I don’t think it would work for a host of reasons.

 

[Brizzle]

He's too left footed IMO to make it work.

 

[Buddha]

Absolutely fucking not…but then again I still just about think we should have moved him on at 400k a week…

 

[bluebell]

I don't see why not during preseason, hell we might even give Cheesy some minutes (if he is still here)

 

[Mystic]

Let's chuck Virgil at right back whilst we're at it.

 

[Judge Jules]

I know he went in there a few times under Klopp but I can't remember him doing anything significant in that role. It makes sense logically but there's nothing to suggest it would work well.

Indeed. The fact that Klopp never persisted with the change tells its own story. Back in the day we occasionally played the King in midfield instead of up front and he looked just another ordinary player. I'm afraid that's how I reckon this suggestion would turn out as well.

 

[Frogfish]

Just a thought, but with the new contract sorted, is there a case for moving Salah to play as the central striker next season?

At 32, in order to squeeze what we can from him - would it not be less taxing for him to play centrally rather than out wide? He's shown to be exceptionally good at creating chances for others, so we could give him a Harry Kane/Firmino type of role, and spend the resources we have on a new wide right forward?

I've floated this before - a few weeks ago if memory serves (it may not) !

On the surface it seems like a good idea, he's our most creative player, he could sit deep a la Bobby whilst we use pace on the wings (and in that vein get a fast winger on the right), and he could still be the most advanced when we're defending - giving the CBs and DM a headache on whether to mark him or not. On top of that he's our top scorer and would get more opportunities to continue that. And finally he wouldn't ever become invisible which he has a tendency to do at times - we need our best players to be involved all the time, not on the periphery.

It all depends on what Slot has planned for us (style-wise) next season.

 

[Frogfish]

Indeed. The fact that Klopp never persisted with the change tells its own story. Back in the day we occasionally played the King in midfield instead of up front and he looked just another ordinary player. I'm afraid that's how I reckon this suggestion would turn out as well.

But Slot will play a far more controlled Soft Rock than Heavy Metal, which will help Mo's failing pace. And past history is no predictor of future returns !

 

[Frogfish]

Let's chuck Virgil at right back whilst we're at it.

Well he's good enough to cover two positions at once.

 

[Judge Jules]

But Slot will play a far more controlled Soft Rock than Heavy Metal, which will help Mo's failing pace. And past history is no predictor of future returns !

Sorry, not buying. Mo couldn't make his mark in those more congested central areas when he did have all his pace. He's even less likely to be able to do so now that that pace is waning. He needs the room he gets out wide as much as he ever did, albeit now for a different reason.

 

[Brizzle]

Sorry, not buying. Mo couldn't make his mark in those more congested central areas when he did have all his pace. He's even less likely to be able to do so now that that pace is waning. He needs the room he gets out wide as much as he ever did, albeit now for a different reason.

Yeah spot on. He was largely crap in that position when he was peak pace & agility, can't see it working when he's lost a yard.