The Egyptian international could determine whether Liverpool move for Raphinha in the future
Get LFC tactical analysis direct to your inbox with Analysing Anfield
Liverpool's highly anticipated clash with Leeds United is scheduled to take place on Wednesday night, with the Reds able to go within touching distance of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
The Whites are experiencing a turbulent run of form at the moment, but they have enough quality to hurt Jurgen Klopp's defence and Liverpool will have to nullify the threat of one player in particular, who has been tipped for a move to Anfield in recent months.
Raphinha is the player in question. He's evolved to become his team's talisman at Elland Road, scoring the most goals and registering the joint-most assists for Marcelo Bielsa this season.
Links with Liverpool seem to make plenty of sense. The Brazilian is intense, offensive and difficult to defend against, and he's 25 years-old with a proven record in England's top-flight.
READ MORE: Liverpool and Man City could play each other four times in 12 days this season
SQUAD NEWS: Klopp could unleash new Liverpool midfield as Jota and Firmino replacement found
READ MORE: Thiago and Fabinho spotted on Liverpool 'scouting mission' at Premier League ground
Raphinha looks like a typical Liverpool target, but his future could lie away from Anfield due to Mohamed Salah.
Luis Diaz was signed in the recent January transfer window. He's a versatile talent, but his preferred role is as a wide forward on the left of Klopp's front three.
Considering he's just 25 years-old, it is reasonable to suggest that he'll occupy that spot for the next five years on Merseyside, which means Diogo Jota is likely to remain as the team's central heir to Roberto Firmino, who is now aged 30.
That leaves Mohamed Salah to occupy Liverpool's right flank. Crucially, Salah is the only wide forward at Anfield who is left-footed, meaning he's suited to performing on the right before cutting inside and finding the net.
If the Egyptian international manages to agree to a new deal with the Reds, he will be likely to spend the majority of his next contract as the team's right-sided forward, which has been the case since he arrived from AS Roma in 2017.
Get all the latest Liverpool breaking news, team news, transfer rumours, injury updates plus analysis of what's next for the Reds.
You'll also get the latest transfer talk and analysis straight to your inbox every day with our FREE email newsletter.
Sign up here – it only takes a few seconds!
Indeed, if Salah was to remain at the club, a transfer move for Raphinha would appear to make less sense, as the Leeds man is also left-footed and he too favours the right side of the pitch.
With Salah and Raphinha both contracted to Liverpool, one of the two would have to miss out more often than not, and those situations tend to be avoided by those running the club's recruitment.
But there could be a further twist as Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari – via The Express – claims the attacker has a £20m relegation clause written into his current deal.
Liverpool can push Leeds further towards the relegation zone with victory and the outgoing Michael Edwards – working with replacement Julian Ward – could be tempted to do business regardless of Salah should the finances make sense.
It remains to be seen what will happen in the summer and beyond but if Salah extends his stay on Merseyside by signing on the dotted line, Raphinha seems unlikely to end up as one of his teammates.
source
