Mohamed Salah has had a blistering start in the Arne Slot era at Liverpool and played a key role in helping them top the Premier League table after seven game-weeks.
The Egyptian forward already has six goals and five assists in 10 appearances this season (across all competitions) and shows no signs of slowing down at the age of 32.
Despite his amazing form, the reality of the matter with Salah is that his contract will expire at the end of June 2025.
Liverpool have not been reported to have presented him with a new contract extension offer or started discussions on that matter.
The Reds’ fans can’t be blamed for being nervy on this situation, with Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad reportedly preparing a seismic offer to sway Salah’s attention.
Even though Liverpool have done well to stop the forward from moving to Saudi Arabia in recent years, there is a major concern that might happen next summer – especially due to the uncertainty over his contract situation.
As a result, it looks like the Liverpool recruitment team might be making plans on a future without their Egyptian king.
Adeyemi
Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has reported that the Reds are eyeing Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi as a potential long-term Salah successor.
This isn’t exactly surprising when you consider Adeyemi’s splendid form for the German heavyweights.
He’s had an electric start to the 2024/25 campaign, scoring five goals and as many assists in just eight games.
Adeyemi even scored a hattrick in the Champions League during his side’s 7-1 thrashing of Celtic.
He’s a speed monster who recorded the fastest sprinting speed in the European competition this season (37.6 KM/H) and is versatile enough to play anywhere across the front-three.
Adeyemi’s best role is as a left-winger, but can easily slot into the right-wing role if needed.
That is probably why he’s being eyed as a potential long-term replacement for Salah. His speed and prolific nature in the final third can make him an idea fit for Arne Slot’s system, which focuses on swift transitions and speedy movement in the final third.
But Liverpool might face stiff competition for the 22-year-old forward.
Juventus and PSG are some of the clubs rumoured to be interested in him. Because of the potential competition for Adeyemi and with his contract not expiring before 2027, which means Dortmund won’t sell for cheap, the Reds have been forced to look into other options too.
The Reds might also be concerned by Adeyemi’s injury-prone nature, as he missed 10 games due to injury last season.
Marmoush
Liverpool are also reportedly monitoring the progress of Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush.
He’s a fellow teammate of Salah for the Egyptian national team and is taking the Bundesliga by storm this season, having scored eight goals and provided four assists in just six league games. He even scored a brace in his side’s 3-3 draw against Bayern Munich recently.
Salah has apparently recommended his national teammate to Liverpool, but Marmoush is in demand from other clubs too.
The Frankfurt forward’s feistiness in the final third and impressive eye for goals makes him a nice fit for Liverpool’s system.
The Bundesliga club’s sporting director Markus Krösche has admitted that they’d probably let him leave this summer, stating: “It is true that Omar made a very clear commitment to us in the summer. He has developed well and still has a lot of potential to develop further. For us, we don’t want to lose so many key players. I have to honestly say that no Eintracht player is unsellable (but) we want to keep the team together. I talk about him (Marmoush) after every game. But that’s a good thing. Omar gives our game an incredible amount.”
Semenyo
Liverpool are also looking into options with Premier League experience in case they need to push for a Salah replacement.
As per GiveMeSport, they have joined the race to sign Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo.
Semenyo has played across all three forward roles for the Cherries this season, scoring three goals in seven Premier League games and its his explosiveness in the final third that is probably attracting Liverpool.
The Reds have also done scouting missions in Spain in their hunt for a new young forward to potentially replace Salah.
Vicente
Spanish outlet Fichajes claims that Liverpool have been won over by what they’ve seen from Deportivo Alaves winger Carlos Vicente. They will eagerly follow his development before making a potential transfer decision next year.
Vicente, a natural right-winger, has two goals in eight La Liga games this season and overall eight goal contributions (four goals, four assists) in 26 top-flight appearances.
The 25-year-old is probably being eyed as a low-cost option as he’s currently only valued at £3.3 million. Vicente has been a hard-working, proactive figure in the frontline for Alaves this season as he’s averaging 1.29 shot attempts and 2.17 progressive carries per 90 minutes.
Of course, if forced to replace Salah from within their squad next year, the Reds could look at the likes of Diogo Jota and Harvey Elliott.
Both can play pretty well from the right-wing orle, with the former already impressing in Slot’s system with four goal contributions (two goals, two assists) in six league games this season.
While the majority of Liverpool fans might be craving to see Salah’s contract extended, that doesn’t seem set in stone yet.
There is a possibility that the Reds move on from their Egyptian sensation in 2025 and usher in a new era for that right-wing role, be it with a new signing or an existing squad member.