There can surely be no way back for Mohamed Salah, with the drawbridge being raised and the separation growing ever deeper between Liverpool and one among the best players the club has seen in its 133-year history.
From revealing the apparent deterioration of his relationship with Arne Slot to suggesting he has been ‘thrown under a bus’, Liverpool’s Egyptian King appears intent on severing all ties and vacating his throne.
The proper royal s***show arrived at Slot’s door after Liverpool surrendered a late lead to attract 3-3 with Leeds – a result that took the club’s recent record to simply one win in six in all competitions.
However the story that has gone on to dominate the headlines didn’t really play out on the pitch in any respect, quite the substitutes bench, where Salah was left to fester for the whole lot of Saturday’s rollercoaster contest at Elland Road.
It was the third time in succession that Salah had been named amongst Slot’s replacements – however the forward got here on on the halfway stage against Sunderland previously, with the Reds desperate for some added impetus.
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The newest perceived insult from Slot prompted an incensed Salah to search out the press within the mixed zone, something he has supposedly only done 4 times in his eight-and-a-half years with the Merseyside giants.
It got here after Salah was seen holding his hands up and waving to Liverpool’s travelling support at Leeds, which many now consider was his way of claiming goodbye.
Liverpool have been emphatic with their response, axeing the 33-year-old attacker from their squad to face Inter Milan within the Champions League – in other words, forsaking 420 games value of experience, 250 goals and 7 pieces of major silverware on the runway at John Lennon Aiport.
Slot stressed that he was not a ‘weak’ head coach but refused to categorically rule out the potential for Salah returning to the fold at some stage down the road when facing the media on Monday evening.
But for Slot, a manager who already finds himself under intense pressure after a miserable few months on the helm, the concept of clearing the trail for Salah’s proposed return could hardly be considered a display of strength.
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As such, Liverpool’s hierarchy ought to be seeking to the January transfer market, begrudgingly or otherwise, for a sensible option who could are available and replace Salah.
Easier said than done, right? Well, yes.
In any case, Salah has managed a tally of not less than 23 goals in each of his eight seasons at Anfield. Unfortunately, players able to that level of quality and consistency don’t grow on trees.
But while out-and-out centre-forwards are something of a dying breed in the sport, there isn’t any shortage of attackers and right wingers with characteristics resembling people who have helped make Salah a contemporary great.
What did Salah say? Key quotes from explosive interview
- On being benched again versus Leeds: ‘The third time on the bench, I feel for the primary time in my profession. I’m very, very upset to be fair. I actually have done a lot for this club down the years and particularly last season. Now I’m sitting on the bench and I do not know why. It looks like the club has thrown me under the bus. That’s how I’m feeling. I feel it is vitally clear that somebody wanted me to get all the blame.’
- On his relationship with Arne Slot: ‘I said repeatedly before that I had an excellent relationship with the manager and rapidly, we haven’t any relationship. I do not know why, but it surely seems to me, how I see it, that somebody doesn’t want me within the club.’
- On whether Saturday’s game against Brighton could possibly be his last Liverpool game: ‘In my head, I’ll enjoy that game because I do not know what’s going to occur now. I can be in Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go the Africa Cup (of Nations). I do not know what’s going to occur once I am there.’
- On whether he regrets signing a brand new contract last season: ‘Imagine how bad that I actually have to reply it, truthfully. That hurts, even the query hurts. This club, signing for this club, I won’t ever regret it. I assumed I’ll renew here and end my profession here, but this is just not in response to the plan.’
- On transfer interest from the Saudi Pro League: ‘I don’t need to answer this query, since the club goes to take me to a distinct direction.’
Antoine Semenyo
Perhaps probably the most heavily linked player on this list, Antoine Semenyo has made himself nigh-on not possible to disregard along with his outstanding begin to the season at Bournemouth.
Following on from an attention grabbing 2024/25 campaign, Semenyo has terrorised opposition defences up and down the land, very similar to Salah in his pomp, racking up six goals and three assists in his first 14 appearances.
Slot witnessed Semenyo’s talents first-hand on the very first day of the season, when Liverpool got an early warning sign that their defence of the Premier League title will surely be no easy ride.
Semenyo’s stats for Bournemouth (all competitions)
Appearances: 104
Goals: 28
Assists: 13
Semenyo scored twice that day, outclassing and outmuscling Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, while running Milos Kerkez ragged on the correct flank. His former Bournemouth team-mate has seemingly never recovered.
It was widely reported last month that Semenyo has a £65million release clause in his contract that could be triggered in the primary two weeks of January.
The Premier League champions would frankly be silly to not not less than have the Ghana international on their transfer shortlist. There can be no shortage of interest within the versatile 25-year-old, though, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham also known to be admirers.
Jarrod Bowen
Perhaps the closest thing to Salah playing within the Premier League right away, Jarrod Bowen has proven himself to be amongst probably the most consistent – and indeed feared – attackers in English football, even during West Ham’s tougher times.
It shouldn’t be forgotten that Jurgen Klopp named Bowen as his ‘favourite’ footballer playing outside of Liverpool just two years ago.
Perhaps Klopp saw a possible Salah successor in Bowen on the time, with the Saudi Pro League’s pursuit of the Egyptian already well underway at that stage.
Bowen’s stats for West Ham (all competitions)
Appearances: 254 appearances
Goals: 78 goals
Assists: 53
Despite often occupying the correct flank, the England international has been the Hammers’ top scorer and most potent attacking weapon in each of the last 4 seasons. He can also be level-pegging with Callum Wilson on 4 goals for the lowly Irons this time around.
At 28, Bowen is true within the prime years of his profession and will be questioning what number of more opportunities he may have to secure a move to a club competing for major honours.
But Nuno Espirito Santo has been clear that Bowen is central to his plans for the long run and Liverpool would have an almighty battle on their hands in prising the West Ham skipper away from the London Stadium.
Karim Adeyemi
Should Liverpool look further afield for somebody to fill the sizeable boots left behind by Salah, there’s a powerful argument that Karim Adeyemi could possibly be one of the best possible fit.
The 23-year-old Borussia Dortmund winger, a player renowned for his blistering turn of pace, has long been mooted as a possible superstar within the making and one seemingly tailor-made for Premier League football.
This season, Adeyemi has racked up six goals and three assists in all competitions for BVB and his contribution in the ultimate third has been vital, with the club riding a six-match unbeaten streak within the Bundesliga.
Liverpool have been tentatively linked with Adeyemi for a while, with the German’s versatility undoubtedly a trait that will appeal to Anfield bosses of their seek for Salah’s would-be alternative.
Adeyemi’s stats for Dortmund (all competitions)
Appearances: 126
Goals: 32
Assists: 22
The previous Red Bull Salzburg speedster has just 18 months remaining on his current contract and there was mounting speculation that this season could possibly be his last at at Westfalenstadion.
Nonetheless, if recent reports are to be believed, Adeyemi would favour a move to Arsenal if he were to up sticks and ditch German football for England.
Adeyemi’s recent conduct off the sphere can have Liverpool doubting a move. Earlier this month, the forward hit the headlines in Germany for all of the unsuitable reasons after he was charged with the possession of two illegal weapons – a knuckleduster and a stun gun.
Yan Diomande
Yan Diomande has burst onto the scene at RB Leipzig this season, announcing himself as some of the exciting attacking talents in German football in recent memory.
The 19-year-old hasn’t looked back having joined from La Liga 2 outfit Leganes in the summertime, notching six goals and two assists in his first nine starts within the Bundesliga.
When Salah was whinging about being tossed under buses on Saturday, three got here without delay for Diomande. The teenager’s stunning hat-trick in a 6-0 thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt, which got here within the space of just 17 minutes, was truly a sight to behold.
Diomande’s stats for RB Leipzig (all competitions)
Appearances: 15
Goals: 7
Assists: 4
In accordance with Sky journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Diomande is already firmly on Liverpool’s radar and ‘very advanced’ talks are underway over a proposed switch to Merseyside.
But with Diomande’s Leipzig profession still in its infancy, a big-money move to Liverpool could also be deemed a bit of premature at this stage.
Soon enough, though, the eyes of the world can be focussed on Diomande if the Ivory Coast international continues on the identical trajectory. Liverpool could be sensible to begin positioning themselves accordingly.
Malick Fofana
If the Reds were to pursue an option with each the current and future in mind, then Malick Fofana could also be a player to seek out himself of their crosshairs this January.
In just his second full season at Lyon last term, the highly rated 20-year-old caused Ligue 1 full-backs nightmares along with his dribbling, trickery and lightning-fast acceleration.
Though Fofana is primarily seen as a left winger, he has also operated on Salah’s favourited right-hand side, or perhaps a more conventional centre-forward, despite his slight frame and diminutive stature.
Fofana’s stats for Lyon (all competitions)
Appearances: 74
Goals: 17
Assists: 8
A serious ankle injury got here at a horrible time for Fofana and has hampered his progress this season, keeping the teen sidelined since October.
But there have been enough flashes of brilliance in the primary two months of Lyon’s campaign, by which Fofana notched two goals and an assist, to point out why top clubs around Europe are starting to circle for the Belgium international.
In a recent interview with Belgian newspaper De Morgen, Fofana’s agent Frederico Pena went on record saying his client ‘belonged’ to play for a club like Liverpool, Manchester City or Bayern Munich next season.
Rodrygo
If ever there was a player crying out for a brand new challenge and a fresh start, it’s Rodrygo.
Once considered one among the brightest young talents in world football, the Brazilian has plummeted down the pecking order at Real Madrid under Xabi Alonso and appears to be badly struggling for confidence.
A return of only one assists – and 0 goals – from 17 appearances this season doesn’t exactly scream ‘sure-fire Mohamed Salah alternative’, but an in-form Rodrygo is unplayable on his day, as countless defenders can attest.
Rodrygo’s stats for Real Madrid (all competitions)
Appearances: 287
Goals: 68
Assists: 53
The 24-year-old, who has lifted a complete of 13 trophies across seven years in Madrid’s first-team, primarily takes up a position on the left. But he has been known to fit into various attacking setups over the course his glittering spell on the Bernabeu, also playing on the correct, as a second striker and even attacking midfielder.
Reports emanating out of Spain this week suggested Rodrygo had been identified as Liverpool’s primary goal to fill the void set to be left by Salah.
Madrid are said to be open to offers for Rodrygo this winter and have slapped a £70million price tag on the two-time Champions League winner.
While Salah’s time at the highest appears to be nearing its end, and fast, Liverpool could prove the right environment for Rodrygo to rediscover his mojo and resurrect his profession.
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