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The Echo (via Calciomercatoweb) reports that Liverpool are eyeing Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah to further bolster an attack that has likely just added striker Christian Benteke to its ranks. Salah, a 23-year-old speedster who has failed to live up to his £11 million transfer to Chelsea in January 2014, recently decided to cut his long-term loan deal with Fiorentina short. Chelsea are well stocked with attacking talent, so it's likely that Salah will be moving to a new club this summer.
Liverpool were just barely beaten to Salah back in 2014 when he was a hot prospect for FC Basel, and given his turbulent start in England, the club might view him as a potential buy low type of deal. But the cast has changed at Anfield, and Salah no longer seems like a piece that fits the team's plans, both now and in the future. Lazar Markovic is a better, younger, and more versatile version of what Salah brings to the table, and even he is (rather maddeningly) staring down a potential loan move for next season. There's no longer a place for the Egyptian winger at Anfield.
Furthermore, Salah's stint with Chelsea highlighted the fears that many have about his ability -- he's fast, but can he add anything else to a top tier Premier League team? The answer to this point has been no, although in fairness he wasn't given too many opportunities to succeed at Stamford Bridge.
Even if Brendan Rodgers sees a place for Salah and believes that the winger's six goals in 16 league games in Italy last season are more indicative of his talent than his performances with Chelsea, there's also some character concerns to be wary of. Salah's decision to terminate his loan early, refuse an improved contract, and threaten to skip pre-season training led to an ugly breakup with Fiorentina, and should raise eyebrows for a club that just dealt with its own transfer saga.
Salah could prove to be a shrewd signing for one of many interested teams, but it's difficult to see that team being Liverpool. However, the club has certainly expressed interest in him in the past, and it wouldn't be a shock to see them at least check in with Chelsea about what he might cost.
