Mohamed Salah leaving Liverpool for the Saudi Pro League continues to garner traction, with Al-Ittihad now said to be keen.
We have known for some time that the 33-year-old has been attracting attention from the Middle East.
The Saudi Pro League made Salah a top summer target last month, along with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr.
Now, a report emerging from France claims Al-Ittihad have opened talks for the Egyptian.
Salah is under contract at Anfield until 2027, but his long-term future has been uncertain since his outburst after Leeds United last month.
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Mohamed Salah scores a free-kick during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against Qarabag at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar
Liverpool could stop using wingers if Mohamed Salah leaves
He has returned to the starting line-up post-AFCON, but his form has been questionable.
Liverpool fans think Salah has lost his pace, with Toni Kroos sharing a similar view.
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Whether Al-Ittihad are able to convince the forward to depart in 2026 remains to be seen, but if they do, it could be a good time for the Reds to change up their system.
Barring Salah, who has struggled this term, Liverpool’s senior wide options are less than impressive.
Florian Wirtz, who is a number 10, has been the most productive player off the left, while Cody Gakpo continues to disappoint, and Federico Chiesa has shown little to suggest he could replace Salah.
Liverpool could dip into the market to replace one of their all-time top goalscorers, but if they did, that still begs the question: How do you get Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike into the same team and have them both play well?
The simple solution, which can’t happen with Salah at the club, would be to switch to a back-three.
That solves a number of problems that Slot, or any other manager, would face in 2026/27.
Firstly, it means Gakpo doesn’t start week in, week out. Secondly, it would allow Wirtz to play in his preferred position. Thirdly, Isak and Ekitike could both actually start as centre-forwards in the same XI. And finally, Liverpool’s attack-minded full-back Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong would be much more productive in the final third.
Frimpong is best suited to a wing-back role anyway, so why not try a new system?
CHANGE MY MIND: This WILL be Liverpool’s best XI after Jacquet arrives!
Isak HAS to play and wing-backs will give Slot the pace he’s been crying out for…
Liverpool's 2026/27 predicted XI - GRV Media line-up
Liverpool’s 2026/27 predicted XI – GRV Media line-up
The only potential issue would be a lack of centre-back options. But once Giovanni Leoni returns from injury and Jeremy Jacquet arrives, Liverpool would just need to sign one centre-back as cover, which they would probably do later this year anyway.
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