Liverpool have spent big in the summer transfer window and Mohamed Salah has admitted that it will take time to build up an understanding with his team-mates
An emotional Mohamed Salah claps along as Liverpool fans sing Diogo Jota's song following Liverpool's win over Bournemouth
(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah has admitted that he still needs to build chemistry with Hugo Ekitike. The Liverpool star is featuring in a revamped Reds frontline, with Alexander Isak expected to join the squad following the international break.
Liverpool invested about £450m on fresh talent during the transfer window, with Florian Wirtz, Isak and Ekitike representing the most costly acquisitions. They have replaced Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, who departed in the window, and Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in a car accident over the summer.
The reigning Premier League champions have enjoyed a promising start to the new campaign, winning each of their first three games against Bournemouth, Newcastle and Arsenal. Ekitike hit the ground running, finding the net in his first two appearances in the English top-flight.
But, the overall displays have left considerable room for improvement, with late strikes required in the opening two fixtures and a spectacular Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick necessary against the Gunners. Salah netted against the Cherries and provided the assist for Rio Ngumoha's late winner at St James' Park.
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However, the Egyptian international is yet to shift into gear. Speaking on the Men In Blazers podcast, Salah acknowledged that establishing connections with his new teammates will require patience.
"So far, I didn't figure the connections out yet," said the Liverpool talisman, as quoted by the Mirror. "Like with Darwin or Lucho or the guys they used to play in front, or Diogo.
"I knew where to start with Diogo or Darwin. I know where to find them. I knew their game very well, but with Hugo, he's still new. Sometimes I need the ball in the field. Sometimes we need it in the space.
"We try to figure that out, through the training sessions or like the videos. The manager shows us. So I will figure it out soon because also it's going to help my game to grow as well."
Alongside the £125m Isak, the £116m Wirtz and the £69m Ekitike, Salah is featuring with Ngumoha. The 17-year-old winger demonstrated his poise by slotting home the Egyptian's delivery to secure the 3-2 victory against Newcastle.
"So what future is waiting for him? It depends how he's going to handle the situation," Salah remarked about Ngumoha. "How are we going to work? I need to work hard and just stay humble because he's very young.
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"I told him that some players peak too early and they're going to struggle after that. I really wish him the best. He has a good group (here around him) and we always try to speak with him – and the manager [Arne Slot] also speaks to him, so he just need to stay humble and work and see how things go."