After nine years, 435 appearances, 255 goals, 122 assists, and a trophy cabinet that can barely fit any more silverware, Mohamed Salah will call time on his Liverpool career this summer. While many expected this news sooner or later, it now means the Reds’ hierarchy will need to sit down and work out how to make his departure as easy to handle as possible.
Given the sheer numbers he’s put up for the Premier League champions over the years, FSG will know replacing him is easier said than done. He’s one of the greatest players in the competition’s history and, in some circles, he’s still considered among the best in the world right now. But there’s no doubt that Arne Slot’s side needs to take the next step in its evolution.
While previous Liverpool squads were built around the Egyptian King, the latest iteration has already shown signs of trying to move past that reliance and spreading the responsibility across a star-studded squad. With the club being linked to several potential signings as they continue their transition, GIVEMSPORT has taken a look at how the Reds could line up next season without their right-winger - with or without attacking reinforcements.
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1. Using What's Already Available and Going Narrow
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In the past, FSG have been unwilling to put their hands in their pockets beyond what the club already has to spend. Think of Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, and even Luis Diaz last summer, and you have just three examples of times when the club's hierarchy have often been reluctant to loosen the purse strings, and instead allowed the manager to make do with what was already available.
Should Slot fail to guide the club to a top-five finish this season and miss out on Champions League qualification, then the Dutchman - or whoever replaces him, if those calling the shots decide to twist rather than stick - may need to rely on the tools already at their disposal, which would likely mean setting up narrower.
In that case, both Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak could start up top, with Florian Wirtz trusted in a free role just behind them. The engine room would be made up of Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, and Alexis Mac Allister, while the defence could see Jeremy Jacquet replace Ibrahima Konate, depending on whether the latter signs a new deal. It’s perhaps a worst-case scenario this summer, but a two-man striker partnership could still work wonders given the talent on offer.
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2. Florian Wirtz Moving Wide and Becoming the New Focal Point
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In his brief cameos out on the right flank, Wirtz has already shown flashes of the kind of player Liverpool could build an entire team around. As mentioned, future squads are moving away from the idea of one player being the all-out productive engine of the side, but the 22-year-old could still help soften the blow of Salah’s departure without the need to go narrow or splash big on a replacement.
When given the time and space out wide, the former two-time Bundesliga Player of the Year can produce moments of real magic with the ball at his feet, whether that’s scoring stunning goals or putting chances on a plate for his teammates. What’s more, he’s more than willing to track back and do the dirty work defensively - something you couldn’t always say about his predecessor - which could be a huge boost for Jeremie Frimpong at right-back, especially given his tendency to bomb forward at every opportunity.
Florian Wirtz vs Frankfurt
Florian Wirtz vs Frankfurt
Critics will argue that it would still be a gamble, particularly given his slow start to life on Merseyside. But in recent months, he’s shown he has all the tools to develop into a world-class attacking force - someone who can pull the strings, make things tick, and ultimately become the mover and shaker of a side built to thrive with his help.
3. Flex Their Financial Muscle Again to Build a Super Team
The most popular choice of the three among the Anfield faithful would be for the owners to continue sitting up and taking notice of the potential they have to turn the club into a bastion of invincibility, reminiscent of their 70s and 80s glory days. A turnover of 14 players less than 12 months ago means there are still areas to improve - not just replacing Salah on a free transfer.
Michael Olise appears to be the number one target to fill the right-wing role, while Anthony Gordon getting his dream move could make the opposite flank less predictable than the one-dimensional Cody Gakpo. Knocking on Newcastle’s door again to beat Manchester City and Arsenal to Sandro Tonali’s signature would also be a smart move, particularly given Gravenberch’s tendency to venture further forward this season.
Then there’s the defence. Giovanni Leoni’s return to fitness will feel like a new signing in itself, and Jeremy Jacquet ensures that the centre-back options of the future are already at the club. But taking Alessandro Bastoni off Inter Milan’s hands would be the perfect way to give Virgil van Dijk the partner in crime he deserves now before its too late.
All of that said, this approach to dealing with Salah’s departure will likely require guaranteed Champions League football and several sales in the opposite direction, meaning the likes of Federico Chiesa, Joe Gomez, Alexis Mac Allister and the aforementioned Gakpo should feel some pressure.