With Mohamed Salah set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, the club will have to make the right decision on picking his successor, with some big boots to fill once he leaves Anfield
Luke Thrower Trends Writer
06:00, 30 Apr 2026
Liverpool is on the hunt for a Mohamed Salah replacement this summer
Liverpool is on the hunt for a Mohamed Salah replacement this summer(Image: (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images))
The Liverpool hierarchy has a few difficult decisions to make this summer, as they enter the summer transfer window with work to do in rebuilding the squad.
There are several problem positions, but none will cause quite as much of a headache as the right-wing role, following Mohamed Salah's exit. The Egyptian King will leave Anfield among the greats, having been called upon time and again to get the Reds over the line in famous Premier League title and Champions League trophy triumphs.
However, Salah's sharp decline this season, which seemingly informed his decision to leave one year before the end of his contract, leaves Liverpool in an awkward position to try to replace his goals and impact.
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So, with that said, here's a look at five options who could do just that, as Liverpool goes on the hunt for the Salah successor.
Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
Perhaps the most obvious option on the market is Bayern Munich star Michael Olise, who has shone ever since he made the move from Crystal Palace.
The 24-year-old is more than comfortable playing on the right, and importantly, he has a left foot that allows him to cut in and score in similar ways to the Salah of old. Olise has been nothing short of an output machine this season, scoring 20 goals and assisting 29 in 47 appearances across all competitions for Bayern.
Michael Olise is having a brilliant season
Michael Olise is having a brilliant season(Image: (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images))
The main concerns for Liverpool will be whether he wants to make the switch, given his impressive start to life in Bavaria, as well as the fee that he would likely command. However, if the Reds can somehow sense a deal is possible, throwing everything at Olise makes the most sense for a natural Salah replacement.
Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig)
Another option who has been linked with Liverpool is RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise in his early career so far.
The 19-year-old is capable of playing on both flanks and has shown plenty of pace and skill during his first season in the Bundesliga, with some output too. In 33 appearances across all competitions, Diomande has scored 13 goals and assisted nine times, cementing his place as one of the most impressive youngsters in Europe.
There is some concern for Liverpool in both the transfer fee, which RB Leipzig is likely to demand roughly $117 million, and how soon it is for a move of this caliber in his career.
Yankuba Minteh (Brighton)
If Liverpool is looking across the Premier League, then perhaps one of the players who should be on the club's radar is Brighton youngster Yankuba Minteh.
The 21-year-old is another in the mould of a left-footed right-winger, having shown an ability to cut in from the flank and score goals in a similar way to Salah. Arne Slot has first-hand experience in working with Minteh as well, having had a loan spell with the Gambian international back in 2023/24.
In 37 games under the Dutch coach, the forward scored 11 times and assisted five for his teammates, setting the tone for his rise to the Premier League. There are some concerns with Minteh, however, largely when it comes to output.
This season, the winger has managed just two goals in the league with four assists, those coming in 30 Premier League appearances. The early signs are promising, and the fee may be more accessible than the others mentioned, but it's unclear if it's just a bit too early to make a move.
Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)
Liverpool's squad has severely lacked pace in the frontline, and someone who could fix that is Anthony Gordon.
The Reds have been linked with Gordon in the past, with the boyhood fan clearly catching some eyes at Anfield, but a deal hasn't been done up until this point. With Newcastle seemingly keen to sell the winger, it could provide an ideal opportunity to strengthen the forward line with someone who can stretch the game.
Gordon can play on both flanks, as well as up front, and has become a key player for the Magpies as well as a regular international for England. The main concern may come from the consistency of his finishing, though the fact that he gets into goalscoring areas often enough may be worth the risk.
Omar Marmoush (Manchester City)
Liverpool could replace one Egyptian star with another, as Omar Marmoush may be available from Manchester City in the summer transfer window.
The 27-year-old mainly plays on the left, but can play as a striker, and could make the switch to the right, though he is mainly right-footed. Marmoush has been underused by Pep Guardiola since his switch to the Premier League last January, and there is every chance for the club to land some value with his signing.
The forward has pace to burn, something Liverpool is desperate to add, while he does have a finishing streak to him as well, bagging seven goals in 16 appearances in the league last season after his winter arrival. The option to play a right-footed player on the right wing may also help Alexander Isak, who had success with a similar partnership alongside Jacob Murphy at Newcastle.
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It's unclear whether Man City would be open to a sale with a rival, while the fit may not be absolutely perfect for the Reds.