Liverpool will look to replace Mohamed Salah with a winger who complements Alexander Isak, Arne Slot has explained.
The Reds are on the lookout for their Salah successor, with the Egyptian now in his final weeks at Anfield.
The likes of Yan Diomande and Anthony Gordon continue to be mentioned as options, but dream target Michael Olise is highly unlikely to be a realistic target.
Speaking to media including the Liverpool Echo, Slot outlined Liverpool’s plan to replace Salah, saying that whoever comes in needs to get the best out of record signing Isak.
PARIS, FRANCE - Wednesday, April 8, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak receives final instructions for head coach Arne Slot before coming on for his first appearance since January during the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Liverpool FC at the Parc des Princes. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“[Getting the most from Isak] is definitely part of thinking about the [Salah] replacement,” Slot said.
“Because since I have been here – and it is the same at a lot of clubs – it is mainly a left footer on the right and a right footer on the left.
“I have seen Alex scoring also a lot from crosses which were played from the right, right-footed, Trent Alexander-Arnold crosses, if you want to call them like that.
“So that is definitely part of how we are looking at things, but we try to sign the best possible available player who we can afford.
“Something else which also happens at certain clubs is: ‘OK, that is the best player in the world in that position, let’s try and get him.’
“That is not how we work, we try and sign the best possible player who is available for us.”
Slot’s previous comments on Jacob Murphy and Isak
Yan Diomande goal celebration (Photo by Tomasz Karczewski/Arena Akcji/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News
In terms of reports, Diomande is said to the top target; a hugely exciting talent, who at just 19, has scored 12 goals and bagged seven assists in the Bundesliga this season.
The Ivorian is right-footed and capable of playing on either flank, which may appeal to Slot, who could use him on the right-hand side to deliver quality to Isak.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 31, 2026: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté (L) challenges Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Newcastle United FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Earlier this season, Slot said it was “definitely on my list of things to improve, getting our No. 9 more involved in the game” and namechecked Jacob Murphy as having the relationship with Isak at Newcastle.
“We don’t have the profile of Jacob Murphy,” said Slot.
He added: “Alex could benefit maybe from a Conor Bradley or a Jeremie Frimpong type of player, who goes outside, instead of both wingers we have who come inside and full-backs who can come in with crosses.”
Whoever comes in, it is vital that Liverpool take their time and make the right choice, replacing Salah is going to be an unenviable task on and off the pitch.