First, as one of the world’s top players, few can match what the Egypt international accomplishes for the Reds, as he is the club’s leading Premier League marksman and seventh all-time.
Adding another player with the same productivity would be almost hard for any squad. Kylian Mbappe may be the only viable substitute. That’s before considering that Salah’s France international plays mostly left.
Interestingly, scouting tool Fbref offers Donyell Malen of Borussia Dortmund and Moussa Diaby of Aston Villa as Salah’s most’similar’ players, both of whom the Reds may sign. The issue is if they can replace Salah’s goals.
Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma is a promising Premier League wideman, while Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia led the Italians to the Serie A championship last season. Both players are fascinating additions that would keep fans on edge, but Salah outnumbers them and they play best on the left.
The Reds may not have a like-for-like winger, but there are many fascinating young players worldwide. That implies they may distribute Salah’s money across many positions and strengthen the team as they did with Fabinho, Alisson Becker, and Virgil van Dijk in 2018.
The second concern for the Reds is that they already have four forwards beside Salah, so buying another up top risks not being chosen as frequently. How does Liverpool do this? Buy potential and utilize the rest of the finances to get as near as possible?
Elite right-sided wingers are few. It would be daring to try to steal Bukayo Saka from Arsenal, but they would refuse. A Salah-less Liverpool is a recruiting nightmare.Ian Doyle: No player is indispensable. Most teams would have collapsed after losing a big player if that weren’t the case.
Others are harder to replace, and Mohamed Salah is one of them. Liverpool may not even attempt.
For six years, the Reds’ offensive strategy has focused on getting the most out of Salah. That’s why the Egyptian left-footed right-winger has scored so many goals and threatens to set more club records.
It would be hard for another player to match that effect. The Reds may be best served by exploiting Salah’s departure—which may happen as early as next summer with Saudi Arabia poised to return—to rethink their attacking strategy.
Ben Doak and the happily fit-again Kaide Gordon are promising young right-wingers, but they still have a lot to learn. Liverpool could ask Arsenal for Bukayo Saka with Salah gone and a load of cash.
If not the England guy, the recruiting team will find someone else. There always is.
Mbappe is the first star that springs to mind.
Theo Squires: Liverpool signed Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo, seemed impossible. Jurgen Klopp previously had an invincible front three, but the Reds’ latest two January arrivals have replaced Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino seamlessly.
The club’s next offensive signing has the hardest job. Mohamed Salah may leave Liverpool for Saudi Arabia in the next year, thus Liverpool may need to replace him. The club and potential successor have an arduous challenge.
Mbappe is the first star to spring to mind. The finest player in the world in waiting would be a dangerous successor for Liverpool’s Egyptian King, even if he is not left-footed.
Though realistic, his salaries would exceed the Reds. Instead, I’ll visit North London. Bukayo Saka would be a great replacement if he leaves Arsenal.
Only 22, the inverted forward continues to flourish for the Gunners, scoring and assisting often. It would be hard to persuade Arsenal to sell after helping them back into the Champions League with a Premier League championship campaign last year. Liverpool should knock at the door if they slip up this year.
Dejan Kulusevski at Tottenham looks good too. The 23-year-old Sweden international has been terrific for Spurs in the previous 18 months, but he’s no Salah, Mbappe, or Saka. As the Reds adjust, Darwin Nunez may explode into life, therefore you may not need him.
Rodrygo is an interesting Real Madrid possibility.
Lewis Underwood: Mohamed Salah’s future might determine Liverpool’s team makeover, but it won’t be simple.
How to equal Salah’s goal scoring prowess is Liverpool’s biggest challenge when replacing him. Only a few European players match the description.
Kylian Mbappe, who scored 29 goals for PSG in Ligue 1 last season, is the obvious Salah successor. Mbappe would attract considerable media attention that might cause Klopp and his squad issues.
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka might assume Salah’s role at Liverpool. Saka had his finest season ever last season, scoring 25 Premier League goals and assisting Arsenal’s surprising championship push.
However, it seems improbable that the Gunners would allow their’starboy’ depart, much alone to a direct competitor.
Napoli champions Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is an intriguing alternative. Kvaratskhelia, signed from Rubin Kazan, and Victor Osimhen led Napoli to their first Serie A championship in almost 30 years.
The Georgian would be a fantastic addition to Klopp’s team, although he was mostly used on Napoli’s left side and would have to shift to Salah’s right. Rodrygo, a Real Madrid right-back, is a talented attacker.
Rodrygo has time on his side at 22 and has already shown his potential, scoring 17 goals and assisting in 25 La Liga starts last season. The winger may be great.
As has been the case throughout this list, the Brazilian does not match Salah’s stats, but his age and potential may be more crucial to Liverpool’s recruiting staff. Replacing Salah will be difficult.