Inter Milan 0-1 Liverpool: Arne Slot press conference
If Mo Salah is to depart Liverpool in the January transfer window then a replacement will be needed.
Mo Salah’s Liverpool in the short term seems to have been resolved. After holding talks with head coach Arne Slot, the Reds’ supposed talisman will return to the match-day squad for today’s game against Brighton.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Slot insisted that Salah still can have a future at Liverpool and claimed that he has no reason for not wanting the winger to stay at Anfield.
But after Salah made several bombshell statements after last weekend’s 3-3 draw at Leeds United, it could still be difficult to repair relationships fully. Apologies can be given, remorse can be shown. However, Liverpool have to consider whether they’ll ever be able to get the player fully back on board. Salah will also have to decide whether he will be thrust into Slot’s main plans when he returns from the African Cup of Nations
The Times reports that ‘issues still persist and they will continue to be tackled’ while Salah is representing Egypt. If it is felt that the damage is too much, a departure may be inevitable. The January transfer window is only around the corner and the Saudi Pro League will be keeping close tabs.
As things stand, there is not a current member of the squad who can step up and fill the void if Salah were to depart. Slot does not see Dominik Szoboszlai’s long-term future on the right-hand side, while Federico Chiesa has constantly been overlooked. In addition, Jeremie Frimpong still needs to prove his fitness and there is much debate around his best position.
The obvious name who could be Salah’s potential successor is Antoine Semenyo. There are not too many forwards who have been better than the AFC Bournemouth man so far this season. He has so far plundered six goals and three assists in 14 matches. Yet there could be a fierce battle to land Semenyo’s signature given that he has a £65 million release clause in his Cherries contract. Several suitors could trigger that fee and it might then be up to the Ghana international to decide. If Semenyo was to choose Manchester City, who are said to be keen, then Liverpool would have to assess possible alternatives.
In truth, the Reds could not afford risking someone who needs time to acclimatise to the Premier League. Given that Slot’s side face a battle to finish in the top four, they would need someone who can make an immediate impact. Someone who could seamlessly and swiftly fit into Slot’s system would be a luxury. And in the Premier League, there is one potential option.
Yankuba Minteh was someone who thrived under Slot at Feyenoord during the 2023-24 season. On loan from Newcastle United, the Gambia international fired 11 goals and seven assists in 37 games to help the Rotterdam outfit win the Dutch Cup. His performances ultimately contributed to Slot being appointed as Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool successor.
“I think the five wingers [at my disposal] are very close, but Minteh has slightly different qualities”, Slot said via Voetbal Primeur. “He is even faster and he uses that. As a left-back or right-back you still think: wow, something is coming at me.
“Occasionally, you can still make your choices on the ball a little better, but it is not strange for such a young player as he is not yet ‘finished’. He does bring something with him that I think we can use very well.”
Minteh secured a move to Brighton from Newcastle in the same summer, with the Magpies having to sell to adhere to profit and sustainability rules. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe admitted that he did not want to sell Minteh.
At the Seagulls, he has certainly proven himself given he is only aged 21. Last term, he fired seven goals and set up five in 37 matches. This season, Minteh has started all 15 of Brighton's league games and produced one goal and four assists. Only Mohammed Kudus, Bruno Fernandes, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku have created more in the Premier League. He has set-up the same number of goals as Everton’s Jack Grealish, who has earned plenty of praise.
“Of course, Minteh is in great shape. He proves it now every weekend,” Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler said after a 3-1 win over Chelsea in September. “I hope he stays in this flow and keeps staying humble and keeps working.”
When Minteh lines up against Liverpool, there likely will be some pleasantries exchanged between him and Slot. But for Reds sporting director Richard Hughes, it is a chance to get a first-hand look at the winger and see if he could well fill a potential Salah void.
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