Liverpool already have a “frightening” Salah replacement

Talks between Liverpool officials and Mohamed Salah‘s representative are set to continue as the attacker plays his way through the African Cup of Nations with Egypt over the next month.

It’s been a disquieting period for a club already in turmoil, this breakdown in relations between star player and the club. Whether or not you feel Salah’s post-Leeds United outburst was justified, there’s no argument to be had that it has not done Arne Slot‘s struggling side any good.

But this is the situation, and FSG are dealing with it. The 33-year-old’s inclusion during the win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League last weekend certainly hints toward reconciliation, but Saudi and US-based suitors are said to be circling, and there’s no denying the £400k-per-week Reds star has struggled to perform this season.

How could Liverpool replace their talisman this January, if he does indeed agitate to leave? Well, Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes have a few options.

How Liverpool could replace Mohamed Salah

A range of reports have outlined Liverpool’s interest in Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo over the past few months, and The Athletic have confirmed the versatile forward has a £65m release clause in his contract and FSG are ready to activate it this winter.

He is a terrific player and has rode the crest of a wave this season, albeit with the goals having dried up amid the Cherries’ tough run over the past month or so.

Could he be the man to replace Salah?

There’s also a forgotten man named Harvey Elliott, who is expected to be withdrawn from his difficult loan spell at Aston Villa, having scarcely played.

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Elliott is creative and dynamic, but he’s not the most mobile and he was limited to a bit-part role under Slot’s wing last season, only starting twice in the Premier League, both times in May.

There may, however, be another prospect on the Anfield books who could step up and replace Liverpool’s wide talisman in the near future.

Liverpool’s cost-free Salah replacement

Salah is irreplaceable. How can you find a wide forward who boasts such a keen edge in front of goal, just like that?

FSG likely recognised this well in advance, signing both Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike this summer. Two high-profile forwards with their best years ahead of them, supposedly.

But Liverpool have a rising prospect with a show-stopping style that reflects Salah’s own, in a different way. Rio Ngumoha has already become a part of Slot’s plans, playing eight games this season and scoring the winner at St. James’ Park back in August.

Aged 17, he is one of the most dangerous ball carriers in the Premier League. That rawness now needs to be focused and developed on the major stage.

But he’s got the grit to go with the glitz and glam, alright, having shown as much against Newcastle, in the right spot to dispatch a wonderful curling strike past Nick Pope. It was Salah’s ball that brought the goal about, coincidentally.

Principally a left-sided winger, the direct and dynamic winger would symbolise a new talisman out wide, should Slot help him become a superstar.

Reporter Lewis Bower considers him a unique and “frightening” talent, with a mix of physical and technical qualities that differentiates him from rivals in his age bracket.

The teenager’s former youth coach Saul Isaksson-Hurst has even said this: “I don’t say it lightly, he is one of the best academy talents I have come across, and I have seen some top players become superstars.”

There is so much still to come from this young man. Let’s not forget that he has joined Liverpool at a testing point in their direction under Slot’s management.

But still he has shown off his quality, his capacity to provide on the biggest stage.

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