Liverpool Closing in on Deal for Mohamed Salah - Report

Liverpool are closing in on a swoop for Basel forward Mohamed Salah, according to the Irish Mirror.

Brendan Rodgers's side are set to agree a fee of £7m with the Swiss club and are looking likely to bring the player to Anfield in the upcoming transfer window. The former Swansea manager has stressed the need for a player who can play in all positions up front and also behind the striker and Salah's performance for his club and country has left the Liverpool manager in doubt that he is the man to take his team forward.

Liverpool's summer signing Iago Aspas has failed to live up to expectations and Rodgers is looking to add more cover for Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. Sturridge is out with a knee injury and is unlikely to feature till late into January.

Salah's arrival will give them some extra flair up front and allow Rodgers to rest Suarez, who has been involved in every game for Liverpool since his return from suspension. An injury to the Uruguayan will be a major setback for the Reds and will put pressure on other members of the team to score, which has not been a regular feature this season.

Suarez is the top scorer in the Premier League with 19 goals in only 12 appearances but needs more support, as was evident in their 2-1 loss to Manchester City at the Etihad.

Liverpool will play their last game of the year away to Stamford Bridge where a loss can potentially see them go six points behind Arsenal who play Newcastle at St James' Park earlier in the day.

Rodgers was very displeased with the performance of the referees in their last game and blamed them for the loss against City on Boxing Day.

"We had no help from the officials. They were horrendous. We never got any decision for us. The linesman for the offside one – they're not even on the same cut of grass. It is not even a difficult one. It is a perfectly timed run when he was through on goal, the kind of move we have worked hard on. You can't get a decision like that wrong at this level. They are big moments in a big game." Rodgers said.