Mohamed Salah is a living Liverpool legend, but the Egyptian has not been able to hit the same heights this season
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United(Image: Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
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Mohamed Salah could now be into the last few months of his illustrious Liverpool career, as Arne Slot looks to build a title-winning squad for the future.
That's the view of former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant, who has been talking about the Egyptian Kop hero and how he might eventually be replaced in the coming summer transfer window.
Salah joined the Reds from AS Roma in June 2017, for a reported £36.5m fee and has since gone on to cement himself as one of the club's all-time greatest players, scoring a staggering 251 goals in 425 appearances across all competitions.
The 33-year-old has been Liverpool's top goalscorer for the past eight seasons, but has seen his levels dip this term, with just four Premier League goals in 16 appearances and a further two in seven Champions League run-outs.
Summer signing Hugo Ekitike leads the way for Arne Slot's team this season, with 15 goals in all competitions and ex-Red Pennant, who played in the 2007 Champions League final defeat against AC Milan in Athens, believes that the time has come to replace the team's talisman.
Speaking to BetSelect, Pennant said: “I think the rest of this season will be Mohamed Salah’s final few months at Liverpool. The drop off in his performances is clear for everyone to see.
"It’s night and day compared to what we saw from him over the previous eight seasons. There comes a point for every player where you slowly start to decline and that is happening to him now.
“This could easily be his last season at the club. If a Saudi Pro League club is willing to pay a good fee for him, Liverpool will take it and reinvest in the squad. If they let Salah go, Liverpool need to bring in a proper replacement. I’d personally love to see them sign Michael Olise from Bayern Munich.”
Tension between Salah and Slot boiled over in December, when the Egyptian was left out of the starting XI against Leeds United at Elland Road, leading to a rare public outburst over his situation in front of reporters.
His interview resulted in Slot leaving Salah out of his match-day squad completely for the next game, but he has since returned to the fold and is back in the starting XI.
Former Crystal Palace star Olise joined Bayern Munich in July 2024 and in a season and a half has scored 33 goals in 87 appearances across all competitions.
Salah has 17 months left on his current Liverpool deal.