Mohamed Salah will add a new dimension to the Liverpool attack and another piece to their bewildering Fantasy Premier League puzzle.
The Egyptian winger arrives from Roma boasting 15 league goals last season, having scored 14 in 2015/16.
His 11 assists last term also ranked second overall in Serie A, with his potential as an FPL recruit clear to see.
But there is a catch.
Liverpool rethink
Salah is added to a midfield mix that posed problems for managers in 2016/17, as we struggled to pinpoint Liverpool's key attacking options.
Roberto Firmino was the top points scorer (181), though it was Philippe Coutinho (171 points) who proved the most popular.
The two Brazilians ended the campaign in 8.8% and 26.0% of squads respectively.
Adam Lallana (139 pts) and Sadio Mane (156) were also major factors.
The latter topped the Anfield ranks with 5.8 points per match (ppm) before suffering a knee injury that cut short his season.
Mane was arguably the top Liverpool target heading into the new season but Salah will force a re-think.
Salah v Liverpool midfielders 2016/17
| Player | Mins per shot | Mins per chance created |
|---|---|---|
| Salah | 31.0 | 35.0 |
| Coutinho | 21.1 | 34.5 |
| Firmino | 30.6 | 39.8 |
| Mane | 39.4 | 51.0 |
| Lallana | 47.0 | 55.9 |
Salah will inject considerable pace and trickery into Jurgen Klopp's attack.
His speed is likely to be unleashed from Liverpool's right wing, shifting Mane to the left.
Firmino is set for a central role and possible classification as an FPL forward, after being given the No 9 shirt for the new season.
This reshuffle will also have a knock-on effect further back.
Two of Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum or Emre Can may joined by either Lallana or Coutinho. Therein lies the problem for FPL managers.
Coutinho deeper?
Coutinho excelled in a deeper role over the final matches of the season, scoring his biggest points haul (19) in a 4-0 victory over West Ham United in Gameweek 37.
However, like Lallana, he can also shine as part of a front three, handing Klopp options and alternatives.
While he will welcome such a headache with UEFA Champions League football on the agenda, FPL managers will be less encouraged.
We need time to unpick Klopp’s approach and assess if Salah can translate his devastating form in Italy to the Premier League.
The Gameweek 5 meeting with Burnley – a fixture that may well follow a rash of early Wildcards – could just be the point at which Salah’s stock begins to soar.
Liverpool's first six Gameweeks
| GW | Opponent |
|---|---|
| 1 | Watford (A) |
| 2 | Crystal Palace (H) |
| 3 | Arsenal (H) |
| 4 | Manchester City (A) |
| 5 | Burnley (H) |
| 6 | Leicester City (A) |
