Liverpool’s attacking rebuild has started brightly on the scoreboard, but Mohamed Salah admits the process of finding fluency with his new teammates is still a work in progress.
The Reds invested £450m in fresh talent during the summer transfer window, headlined by the arrivals of Florian Wirtz (£116m), Alexander Isak (£125m), and Hugo Ekitike (£69m). The trio was recruited to replace Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez, who departed, and Diogo Jota, whose tragic death in a car accident shook the club earlier this summer.
Despite the upheaval, Liverpool have begun their Premier League title defence with three straight wins over Bournemouth, Newcastle, and Arsenal. Ekitike scored in his first two league outings, while Salah netted against the Cherries and supplied the late assist for 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha’s dramatic winner at St. James’ Park.
Still, Salah admits the rhythm isn’t there yet.
So far, I haven’t figured the connections out yet, the Egyptian told the Men in Blazers podcast. Like with Darwin or Lucho or Diogo—I knew where to find them. I knew their game very well. Hugo, he’s still new. Sometimes I need the ball to feet, sometimes in behind. We’re working on it in training and with the videos the manager shows us. I’ll figure it out soon because it’s going to help my game as well.”
Nurturing the Next Generation
Salah also had words of guidance for Ngumoha, whose poise at just 17 helped seal the dramatic 3-2 victory at Newcastle.
“What future is waiting for him? It depends on how he’s going to handle the situation,” Salah said. “I told him some players peak too early and struggle after that. He just needs to stay humble and work. He’s got a good group around him, and the manager speaks to him too. I really wish him the best.”
Looking Ahead
With Isak due to join up with the squad following the international break and Wirtz gradually bedding in, Liverpool’s frontline looks frightening on paper. For Salah, the challenge is turning that potential into the kind of on-field chemistry that carried the Reds to glory in previous seasons.
Three wins from three is the perfect foundation. The next step is turning promise into fluency.
