Quite how it has all come to this continues to be debated, but the fact of the matter is that Mohamed Salah could be nearing the end of his glorious spell at Liverpool.
It was just over six months ago that the Egyptian sat atop his throne, Premier League champion for the second time at Anfield and fresh from signing a bumper new deal to end months of speculation.
The main man under Jurgen Klopp, the ex-Chelsea winger appeared to go to an even higher level following Arne Slot's arrival, ending 2024/25 with a ridiculous tally of 57 goals and assists in all competitions.
Like all good things, however, an end is now in sight, with the 33-year-old's AFCON involvement, alongside the looming January window, sparking suggestions that he could have already turned out in Red for the final time.
It would not be a fitting way to bow out, yet rarely do even the brightest and best get the send-off nor the finale they deserve. Even the great Steven Gerrard had to fly the nest for MLS to see out his playing days.
Mo Salah interview quotes - Liverpool
Regardless of whether a departure does occur in January or over the summer, Salah appears to have made his long-term future untenable - now to find a suitable replacement...
Latest on Liverpool's search to replace Salah
Rumours are already swirling regarding Salah's potential next move, with reports last week suggesting that Turkish giants Galatasaray are among the clubs to have made an offer to the ageing sensation.
Salah-stats-24-25-25-26
The Reds are unlikely to receive anywhere close to the reported £200m bid that was lodged from Saudi Arabia two years ago, although there would surely be a hope to cash in for as much as possible, in order to reinvest those funds on a replacement.
There have been continued claims that Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo has been earmarked as one of the more high-profile options to help fill the void, while TEAMtalk are reporting that FSG could also look to the Bundesliga to find their next Anfield star.
Indeed, as per the report, the Merseysiders are accelerating their interest in RB Leipzig teenager, Yan Diomande, having begun negotiations with the 19-year-old's representatives.
While no bid has yet been placed for the £88m-rated wideman, the piece does note that Liverpool are engaged in almost 'daily contact' with his agent, ahead of making what would likely be a summer move.
yan-diomande-rb-leipzig-man-city
That's not to say that a January move is completely ruled out for the in-demand starlet - who is fielding interest from across Europe - with it yet to be seen whether the reigning Premier League champions will firm up their interest with a winter offer.
How Diomande compares to Semenyo & Salah
As stated above, a leading target to replace Salah is, of course, the aforementioned Semenyo, with the Ghanaian available for £65m due to the presence of a release clause in his Cherries contract.
Semenyo Graphic
Whether he would represent an alternative or a possible teammate for the 25-year-old remains to be seen, although Diomande is an equally as exciting talent who could reinvigorate Slot's forward line.
Semenyo has been one of the Premier League's leading figures this season with nine goals and assists to date, although Diomande has dazzled during his breakthrough year in the Bundesliga, chipping in with eight goal involvements himself for Leipzig.
That includes a stunning hat-trick during the weekend win over Eintracht Frankfurt, a performance that only served to reinforce just why the promising Ivorian is being watched so closely.
Fleet of foot and with pace to burn, the comparisons to Semenyo are also there to see, with The Athletic's Seb Stafford-Bloor noting that Diomande is "physically similar" to the Bournemouth star, "but with all the same skill and touch".
Diomande vs Salah - 25/26 League stats
Stat (*per game)
Games
Starts
Goals
Assists
Big chances missed
Big chances created
Key passes*
Pass accuracy*
Successful dribbles*
Stats via Sofascore
The respected Bundesliga insider, writing on X back in November, did hint that the teen is "not ready yet" for a Premier League move, although Liverpool would be wise to get ahead in the race for his signature, even if it means waiting to strike next summer.
That said, there's no reason why he couldn't come in and hit the ground running in January, if a deal were to be struck, with the youngster currently comparing favourably to his fellow wingers across Europe's top five leagues.
Yan-Diomande-Leipzig-stats
As per FBref, he ranks in the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90, while also ranking in the top 2% for progressive carries per 90, highlighting just what an elite dribbler and ball-carrier he is.
A successful take-on is recorded when a player beats their opponent by directly carrying the ball past them while retaining possession.
Semenyo's own quality in that regard was evident on the opening day, as he ran the length of Anfield unopposed, before coolly converting in that mad-cap 4-2 win for Slot's side.
antoine-semenyo-bournemouth
The prospect of potentially adding both the ex-Bristol City man and Diomande into the fold in 2026 would be a truly exciting one, with two Semenyo-esque figures perhaps what is needed to provide an upgrade on the flanks.
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