Mohamed Salah’s explosive comments about feeling unwanted under Arne Slot have pushed Liverpool to consider a future without him sooner than expected.
Mohamed Salah has now cast major doubt on his long-term future at the club, and there have been strong rumours that Liverpool could cash in on the player during the January transfer window, if there is a suitable offer on the table.
There have been constant links with Saudi Arabian outfits and clubs from the MLS. It remains to be seen where the player ends up eventually. Liverpool’s recruitment team will now need to work on identifying not just a goalscorer, but a wide forward who can create and score consistently.
Salah is more than just a right‑winger; he is a complete forward in himself. The vetran attacker’s blend of scoring, chance creation and availability has carried Liverpool’s attack for years. Any replacement shortlist, therefore, has to be built around a similar profile.
In addition, Liverpool will need someone who is a near‑elite replacement or a high‑upside young attacker who can grow into Salah’s role. Here at The Hard Tackle, we look at three potential candidates who could replace the Egyptian international at the Merseyside club.
Rodrygo (Real Madrid)
Rodrygo has been repeatedly linked with a move away from Real Madrid, and he could prove to be the ideal stylistic successor to Mohamed Salah. The Brazilian international can operate as a right‑sided forward who can also play centrally, with the technical level to operate in tight spaces and the work rate to press aggressively.
At 24, Rodrygo is young enough to lead the attack for the next six or seven seasons while already possessing a UEFA Champions League pedigree and experience. He could help Liverpool create a fluid, interchanging front three along with Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike.
With Rodrygo unhappy with his situation at the Santiago Bernabeu, a deal may be on the cards. However, Liverpool will not be alone in the race to sign the disgruntled Real Madrid attacker, as widespread reports have linked him with several Premier League bigwigs, including Arsenal and Chelsea.
Raphinha (Barcelona)
Raphinha has been one of the best players in the world since joining Barcelona, and he has been linked with an exit in recent weeks due to the Catalan club’s dire financial situation. If the Brazilian international decides to take on a new challenge, he could be ideal for Liverpool.
The former Leeds United attacker has played in the Premier League before, and he could make an immediate impact. Raphinha could be a like-for-like replacement for Salah, slotting into the front three as the inverted wide player. He will add goals and assists to the side.
The Brazilian internatioanl scored 34 goals last season while picking up 26 assists in all competitions. There is no doubt that Raphinha is a world-class player, and he would not only replace Salah in terms of output, but would be the superstar profile as well.
Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
Olise is one of the most talented players in European football right now, and he is designed to develop into a world-class star who can fill the big boots of Mohamed Salah. The 23-year-old has been outstanding for Bayern Munich, and he scored 20 goals last season. He has picked up 23 assists as well.
Like Raphinha, he has played in the Premier League before with Crystal Palace. The French international knows the Premier League well, and he could make an immediate impact. At 23, Olise is still rough around the edges but fits the archetype Liverpool like to back, explosive, direct, with the athletic range to be moulded tactically.
The Frenchman has proven himself in Germany, and the opportunity to return to England could be quite exciting for him. He is likely to cost a substantial amount of money, but Liverpool have shown that they are prepared to invest if they are convinced about the player. However, like Rodrygo, Olise is a hot property, with Arsenal and Manchester United among his prospective suitoors.
All three players would represent an excellent investment for Liverpool. The Premier League champions have a quality team at their disposal, and they are not overly reliant on Salah. They should look to bring in a player who complements the other attacking players already in the side. It will be interesting to see who they end up with.
The Reds are a club in transition right now, and they must put together an orderly succession plan that would help them in the present as well as in the long run. Signing a quality replacement for the Egyptian will be extremely difficult during the January window, and Liverpool will have to be patient. Perhaps a move in the summer would be ideal for the aforementioned players.
