Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has surprise new position for Egypt ahead of Africa Cup of Nations
Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah has taken up a new position as he gears up for the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt.
The 31-year-old was handed a different role by boss Rui Vitoria ahead of the tournament, which kicks off on Saturday in the Ivory Coast.
Salah was deployed in an attacking midfield role in the warm-up clash against Tanzania on Sunday.
He impressed in the said position at the Cairo International Stadium as Egypt ran out 2-0 winners.
The Liverpool ace assisted Trezeguet, who opened the scoring, before firing home a spot-kick.
Salah continues to star as a wide forward, having netted 204 times for Liverpool from that position, although he is now being played more centrally by the Pharaohs.
Egypt have drawn with Ghana in Group B, with the Black Stars set to suffer a tough time trying to stop the versatile attacker.
Vitoria told publication Kingfut: «I think everyone is performing at the highest level because they want to earn their place in the squad but I can only choose 11 players in the end.
»Salah playing a central midfield role? It was clear [on Sunday] that he can play that part and he doesn’t necessarily have to play on the wing at all times."
It remains to be seen how Salah with fare should he be deployed in the central midfield in the opening encounter.
أهداف مباراة مصر 2-0 تنزانيا | مبارة ودية ⚽
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The Egypt captain is just seven appearances away from earning a century of caps for his nation.
His side kick off their AFCON campaign against Mozambique on Sunday before facing Ghana and Cape Verde.
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