Jurgen Klopp: “Mo Salah will not be ready to play tomorrow but he’s on the way back”.
“Maybe next week. Getting closer…”.
“Honestly I don’t think he is too far off… but he will not be available tomorrow”. pic.twitter.com/c9J18nA70B
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 1, 2024
Mohamed Salah has been Liverpool’s talisman since joining the club in 2017. While the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker have also played their part in the club’s rise back to the very top under Jurgen Klopp, the Egyptian king’s influence has been far greater. Soon, though, Liverpool Football Club might have to get used to life without him.
Salah is a big-game player
A player who is constantly linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, Mohamed Salah’s rumoured departure could become a reality at the end of the season. A staggering £150 million bid from Al-Ittihad was rejected last summer and the Saudi Arabian side surely haven’t given up on the idea of signing one of African football’s biggest ever stars.
Should the former Basel prodigy follow Klopp out of the club, his input will certainly be missed. There’s a reason why many fans have tipped Liverpool to reign supreme when it comes to FA Cup betting, although Manchester City also stand out at odds of 7/5. Still, formidable professionals like Salah are more than capable of delivering. After all, this is a player who will undoubtedly go down in Liverpool folklore, particularly as he’s only the fifth player to score 200 goals for the club.
With plenty of upheaval likely to come in the summer, though, Salah’s seemingly inevitable departure will hit fans of the club hard. Thankfully, the Reds are reportedly tracking a number of talented replacements who could fill the void. Let’s take a look at some of the early names in the frame below.
Leroy Sane
Former Manchester City star Leroy Sane is a player the club are reportedly considering. Given the drama unfolding at Bayern Munich this season, the German international could look to return to England with a side that will undoubtedly suit his style of play. A player with only 18 months left on his contract at the time of writing, the rapid winger has the attacking prowess needed to replace Salah. Additionally, and perhaps most importantly of all, the former Schalke 04 prospect wouldn’t take long to adapt to life back in the Premier League either.
Jarrod Bowen
Only Mo Salah (15) and Erling Haaland (17) have scored more Premier League goals than Jarrod Bowen (14) this season
Bowen’s on fire pic.twitter.com/TSXY4mxn1u
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 26, 2024
Speaking of players who can slot straight into English top-flight football, Jarrod Bowen is another professional who is consistently linked with a move to Anfield. West Ham’s main man would surely jump at the chance to join a behemoth in the game, although the Hammers will undoubtedly want huge money for the England international. A player West Ham fans refer to as the “claret and blue Salah”, Bowen definitely fits the bill.
Raphinha
Former Leeds United trickster, Raphinha, has done reasonably well in Spain with Barcelona, although numerous rumours suggest that he could be on the move at the end of the season. If the Brazilian does look to depart the Spanish giants, Liverpool’s hierarchy will surely be keen on recruiting a player who managed to record 11 goals and record three assists in the Premier League in the 2021/22 season.
Federico Chiesa
One of Italy’s most formidable talents, Federico Chiesa is another name in the frame. After a horrific time with injuries, the Italian appears to be back to his very best. With reports suggesting the former Fiorentina man could look to leave Juventus after stalling on signing a new contract, Liverpool could be tempted into making a move for a versatile attacker the club have reportedly admired for quite some time.