Gab Marcotti dropped a little nugget this week that should make every Liverpool fan pause and think. Jurgen Klopp, the man who built this modern Reds dynasty, apparently wasn't initially sold on Mohamed Salah. Let that sink in for a second. The Egyptian King, the guy who owns the Anfield scoring charts, almost didn't happen because Klopp had eyes for someone else.
Marcotti, speaking on ESPN FC, detailed how Klopp's preference was Julian Brandt, then tearing it up for Bayer Leverkusen. Brandt was younger, just 20 at the time in 2017, and fit the profile of a raw talent Klopp loves to mold. Salah, meanwhile, was 24, with a prior "flop" stint at Chelsea under his belt, where he scored just two goals in 19 appearances across all competitions. It’s easy to forget now, but Salah wasn't a universally acclaimed superstar then. He was coming off a strong season at Roma, netting 15 goals and 11 assists in 31 Serie A matches, but the Premier League question marks lingered.
Here's the thing: Liverpool's famed transfer committee, especially Michael Edwards, was relentless in their pursuit of Salah. They presented data, reams of it, showing Salah's underlying numbers at Roma were off the charts. His expected goals (xG) and expected assists (xA) per 90 minutes were elite, suggesting his output wasn't a fluke. They highlighted his blistering pace, his left-footed wizardry, and his ability to consistently get into dangerous positions. Klopp, a manager who prides himself on his eye for talent, eventually relented. Liverpool paid £34 million for Salah in June 2017, a fee that now looks like grand larceny. Brandt, for comparison, moved to Borussia Dortmund for a reported €25 million in 2019.
Salah's immediate impact was seismic. He scored on his debut against Watford on August 12, 2017, and never looked back. That first season, he shattered records, bagging 32 Premier League goals in 36 appearances, setting a new benchmark for a 38-game season. He finished with 44 goals across all competitions, winning the PFA Player of the Year. Brandt, while a good player, has never hit those stratospheric heights. His best Bundesliga return was 10 goals in 2018-19. It’s a stark reminder that even the best managers can be swayed by the numbers.
This whole episode underscores the brilliance of Liverpool's recruitment under Edwards. They trusted their process, their data analytics, and their scouting network. They didn't just chase the obvious name or the manager's initial gut feeling. They presented a compelling case, backed by hard facts, that ultimately changed Klopp's mind. Imagine if Klopp had dug his heels in. No Salah, no 2019 Champions League trophy, no 2020 Premier League title. Salah has scored 209 goals in 340 appearances for Liverpool as of December 2023. He's been the most consistent forward in the Premier League for half a decade.
My hot take? This story proves that for all the talk of "managerial genius," the modern game is increasingly a data game. The best clubs aren't just relying on one person's eye; they're building a comprehensive network of analytics and scouting that can override even the most respected opinions. Klopp is an incredible manager, but even he needed convincing on a player who would become arguably the most impactful signing of his Liverpool tenure.
Salah will be the first player in Liverpool history to score 20+ goals in five consecutive Premier League seasons.