Former Liverpool full-back Stephen Warnock criticised the Reds for not signing a Mohamed Salah replacement in the summer.
Liverpool have been warned that their failure to sign a direct replacement for Mohamed Salah could come back to haunt them, with Stephen Warnock suggesting the Reds could return for Yankuba Minteh during the January transfer window.
While speaking to TEAMtalk, the former Liverpool defender questioned the club’s decision-making in the summer after they failed to recruit a natural successor to Salah on the right side of their attack. Liverpool signed Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain for a reported £123 million, but the French winger prefers playing on the left.
Liverpool’s failure to replace Salah
Barcola is expected to help fill the enormous void left by Salah, who departed after an extraordinary spell at Anfield. The Egyptian made 442 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 257 goals and providing 123 assists, and finished as the club’s third-highest scorer. Replacing that level of production was always going to be difficult, but Warnock believes Liverpool should have been better prepared for his departure.
“Ultimately, yes, it could cost them,” Warnock told TEAMtalk, before adding, “But one of the biggest issues is that, was there an adequate replacement that they thought could replicate what Salah was doing? I don’t think there is an adequate replacement because what Salah did was phenomenal.
“Liverpool will have a valuation on players who they are willing to reach, and I found it quite strange that they decided to go in for Ismaila Sarr so late in the transfer window, with his age and his price. However, it is understandable why they didn’t pursue that move too much, probably down to Crystal Palace’s stance on him but also his age.”
The Reds reportedly explored options late in the window, including Ismaila Sarr, while making two bids for Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh. However, neither pursuit resulted in a deal, leaving Liverpool without the right-sided attacker they had been looking for.
Warnock was particularly surprised by the late move for Sarr, considering his age and asking price, although he acknowledged that Crystal Palace’s stance also played a role in Liverpool’s decision not to pursue a deal.
Warnock believes Liverpool will return for Minteh
Minteh, meanwhile, could represent a more attractive long-term option. The 22-year-old has already gained valuable Premier League experience since joining Brighton in 2024; he has made 73 appearances and has nine goals and 10 assists.
His age, physical qualities and attacking potential make him a player capable of developing into a major forward at the highest level. Warnock also raised the question of whether Minteh’s fitness influenced Liverpool’s decision not to complete a deal during the summer.
“Yankuba Minteh is an interesting one because you wonder whether they’d have really pushed for that move had he been fully fit. The funny thing is that they have known for so long about Salah leaving, but they still haven’t found a replacement. I always think you should be looking two or three seasons ahead; with injuries, dips in form, you’ve always got to be thinking about who is next in line.
“I just feel like Liverpool haven’t rectified that situation, and I find it absolutely incredible to be honest. I think they possibly will go back in for Minteh in January, but there might be someone else who pops up on the radar between now and then…,” he added.
Liverpool therefore face an interesting few months. Barcola gives them another elite attacking option, but his preferred position means the Salah succession plan remains incomplete. With Minteh already on their radar, the January window could provide the Reds with another opportunity to address the issue.
