result from mohammed salahPost-match comments at Elland Road add another layer of drama liverpoolIt is a season of trouble. January exit is now actually a possibility egypt international, but the club hierarchy will be under no illusions about how difficult it will be to replace him in midseason.
The 33-year-old forward has scored 250 goals and 116 assists in 420 games for Liverpool over the past eight years, and such numbers cannot be matched by regular additions in the transfer market. Long-standing targets such as AFC Bournemouth antony semenyo or Newcastle United Anthony Gordon May fit into wider squad-building plans in the long term, but Liverpool’s production levels will not diminish while Salah is on the move.
Someone with a proven track record will need to be signed to replace him; A player who can both score and create at a ridiculously high rate. Liverpool aren’t shy about spending, as we saw by spending more than €450 million on seven players in the summer, including an initial €145 million. alexander isaacat €117 million florian wertz and at €80 million hugo akitike,
But none of them would be suitable to fill the void left by Salah. So with that in mind, here’s a look at a range of potential successors – some realistic, others on the speculative side – who should be on the club’s internal short list.
To be clear: like for like replacement does not exist. The profiles of the options vary, but the brief is to find an attacking forward who is stylistically compatible with Salah, who has a high amount of influence, and has the ability to decide games from the start.
He is an ambitious candidate given the cost of acquiring him (over €150 million), but Vinicius Junior’s unease at Real Madrid has become clear amid contract renewal talks (his deal expires in 2027). A return of five goals and five assists in LaLiga this season is good, yet his scoreless performance in 11 matches is already a talking point and fueling speculation of an exit.
His shot volume this campaign has remained the same as last season, although his on-target rate has dropped by 4%. But more significant is the decline in individual actions: his take-ons have dropped from the usual 10+ per 90 minutes to 8.5, while his attacking duels have dropped to 14.4 per 90 after several seasons in the 16-17 range, which suggests that Xabi Alonso’s structure may be limiting some of his natural freedom.
How similar is he to Salah? Right-footed, Vinicius plays on the other side and cuts most of his shots from the left, although his finishing profile is shaped more by finding the space available than anything else, which is why former boss Carlo Ancelotti often used him in a withdrawn central role in more than 50 matches.
There are similarities in speed of execution, close control when traveling at speed, effective one-vs-one action and the ability to combine sharp passes around a centre. Some strategic changes will be required to achieve best results brazil international at Anfield, but he is one of the few players in the world who would justify such a fundamental rethink.
What are the chances of transfer? A January move seems unrealistic, but the medium-term picture for next summer is less settled than Real Madrid expected. There are only a few clubs worldwide who could be in the race for Vinicius’ signature if he leaves Madrid, and Liverpool is one of them.
A player that Liverpool will seriously pursue if given the chance, Olise is a left-footed right winger who thrives in the same positions that Salah has proven so successful in, in terms of picking up the ball and exploiting to set up finishes. However, pre-crystal Palace The winger is more of a playmaker than a finisher.
His €60 million transfer from Crystal Palace in 2024 now looks like a serious bargain and he is under contract until 2029.
How similar is he to Salah? Whereas Salah’s game is built around short bursts, immense spatial awareness and penalty-box repetition, Olise has a somewhat broader role in the same role. He has a tendency to receive the ball between the defensive lines on his left foot, often shaping his body in such a way as to make quick crosses before slipping disguised passes onto runners deep into the box or on cutbacks, rather than finishing quickly.
That said, there are similarities in how they control the ball so quickly, which enables them to escape pressure before getting the ball into a high xG finishing position, as well as shot volume and zone selection.
What are the chances of transfer? France The international has been so exceptionally productive at Bayern – 29 goals, 39 assists in 77 matches – that a move seems unlikely unless a fee of €150 million is put on the table as a starting point. However the London-born winger may want to switch back Premier League,
Heat map of all actions from August 1, 2023
Rafinha is one of the few established wide forwards who can realistically take over Salah’s role at Liverpool without forcing a step back or major structural changes in attack.
A left-footed player who can play on the right but is also comfortable in tight central areas (as shown by the heat map above), he has performed at a world-class level since leaving leeds united To join Barcelona in 2022 for €58 million. His production last season was nothing short of extraordinary as he played a central role in the domestic treble with 34 goals and 25 assists in 57 matches and collected the LaLiga Player of the Season award.
How similar is he to Salah? Although often appears on the left to adjust Lamin Yamal On the right, Raphinha’s shot volume sits in advice territory at around 2.6 per 90, and their chance-creation profiles are also very similar, with both revolving around one key pass per 90. The on-pitch interpretation of his role is equally apt as Raphinha often receives the ball wide, shifts inside and either delivers an early whipped cross or darts deep into space.
Out of possession, Raphinha has shown that he can operate in high-intensity pressing teams, and generally keeps track of his full-backs throughout. As Salah has gotten older, he has been playing less on the defensive side, which Liverpool have certainly missed after being out of form this season Luis Diaz,
What are the chances of transfer? Barcelona’s persistent financial issues – registration problems, leveraged loans and well-publicised cost pressure – mean it will be difficult for them to ignore a €100 million offer to sign Raphinha, especially for a player arriving in his late 20s. That age profile may be a turnoff for Liverpool, but given his technical and tactical suitability, he should be firmly in the conversation at Anfield.
LEO would be a different kind of replacement, but the case could be justified with some structural rethinking. While he is right-footed and plays exclusively on the left, his underlying statistics are promising (despite struggling to recreate his form from three years ago) with 0.65 goals per 90 and 52% of his shots reaching the target this season.
Standing at 6-foot-2 inches tall, LEO moves mostly through long strides, exhilarating top speed and strong acceleration. His take-on efficiency has dropped from five to around three points (per 90) in recent seasons, but his carries into the box are still a key part of his game.
How similar is he to Salah? Leao provides most of what Salah does – only in the opposite direction – but he is more reliant on transitions and long play than the agile Salah, who can create space from even the most difficult positions.
What are the chances of transfer? Leao has a contract until 2028 and a reported release clause of €175 million, making him a viable option. One point to consider is that having a high-volume scorer on the right side will give defenders space for others like Isak and Akitike.
Greenwood has shone in the last few seasons since leaving Marseille Manchester United Under a Cloud in August 2023 After a six-month investigation into his conductUnited began an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Greenwood’s arrest on suspicion of rape and assault in January 2022, but criminal charges against him were dropped in February 2023, and he eventually joined Marseille around 18 months later for €31,6 million, signing a contract until 2029,
Since then, his game has evolved league 1With improvements in chance creation, shot creation and take-ons. In fact, almost 70% of his shots now come from the central or inside-right area, and his non-penalty xG per shot (0.5 per 90) has also improved as he has stopped trying low-value attempts. He receives the ball well under pressure, plays short combinations without slowing down the rhythm and takes the ball straight. Furthermore, his being two-footed represents a major advantage as defenders struggle to choose whether to take him outside or inside.
How similar is he to Salah? Greenwood’s style is very similar to Salah. His finishing technique is the obvious factor – an innate ability to open his body and turn first-time efforts towards the far post, which comes from a technique that relies on balance, minimal backlift and extreme accuracy.
Like Salah, Greenwood can also generate power from a nearly stationary position, such that he can resort to controlled, shaped attacks.
What are the chances of transfer? Given the scrutiny Greenwood faced while at Manchester United, as well as the fact that almost half of any transfer fee would be returned to Old Trafford, this is probably a nonstarter.
A bit of a wild-card option, Barcola is not an undisputed starter for PSG, but his end product is exceptional for his age. He recorded 21 goals and 21 assists last season, followed by another strong start in 2025–26 with five goals and three assists.
Although he is right-footed and naturally gravitates towards the left, he is often used on the opposite side without any drastic drop in effectiveness. He moves the ball into high-value areas with efficiency and executes take-ons, combination plays and finishing actions at pace. He is difficult to beat and is comfortable enough on his weaker foot to avoid predictable patterns. Off the ball, he applies good pressure, reacts quickly to changes and shows the necessary mobility in the high line.
How similar is he to Salah? His shot volume sits just below Salah at 2.5 per 90 (compared to 2.7), but his accuracy is top notch. Indeed, Barçaola hits the target with 51% of his shots, well above Salah’s 39%.
What are the chances of transfer? PSG would hardly welcome interest unless they at least doubled their €45 million investment, but the fact he is regularly rotated and often substituted around the 60- or 70-minute mark could create an opportunity. His age, ability and versatility strengthen his candidacy, while his contract expires in 2028.
