Mohamed Salah will prove impossible to replace but Liverpool will be forced to try this summer.
The legendary Egyptian has decided to depart Anfield at the end of the current campaign, bringing an extraordinary nine-year relationship with Liverpool to an emotional end. Key to the club’s astonishing transformation in the Jürgen Klopp era, he will be idolized for years to come and rightly heralded as one of the all-time greats.
Salah’s exit has been well-timed. The 33-year-old, who had a deal until 2027, has been a far cry from the 2024–25 Premier League Player of the Season that thrust Liverpool to the title, an alarming decline having only been exacerbated by his explosive fallout with Arne Slot last December.
Despite his waning influence, Salah will still be sorely missed on Merseyside. Replacing one of Liverpool’s heroes will prove an unenviable and arduous assignment, the Reds almost certainly forced to spend big once more in their pursuit of his successor.
Here are five possible heirs to Salah’s golden throne.
Michael Olise
World class right wingers are like gold dust in the modern game and Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise is one of the most valuable on the planet. Capable of playing as an attacking midfielder as well as on the flank, the Frenchman has hit dizzying new heights since trading Crystal Palace for the Bundesliga.
Olise enjoyed a devastating debut season with Bayern as he managed 20 goals and as many assists en route to the first major title of his career as the Bavarians clinched the Meisterschale. He was named Rookie of the Season for 2024–25 in the Bundesliga, producing consistently exceptional performances from the right wing. Those displays have continued—and arguably been improved upon—this term.
The 24-year-old’s effortless flair, impeccable first touch and eye for goal make him an unstoppable threat in full flight, with a return to the Premier League not an impossibility. Liverpool have been regularly linked with the France international, although they would potentially need to break their transfer record again to achieve a deal.
Olise has Premier League experience, star quality and the potential to reach an even loftier ceiling. He would be an excellent addition for the Reds, even if a transfer looks incredibly complicated.
Anthony Gordon
Anthony Gordon has been the subject of serious interest from Liverpool in the past. The Reds, who released the winger at the age of 11, were keen on signing the ex-Everton and current Newcastle United star in 2024, but ultimately decided against matching the Magpies’ steep demands.
However, Gordon remains firmly on Liverpool’s radar. Having already snatched Alexander Isak from Newcastle, could they return to Tyneside for the England international?
Gordon is not a traditional right winger, preferring to operate from the left-hand side—and having even been used as a central striker by Eddie Howe this season. That offers him the opportunity to cut inside and wreak havoc on his stronger right foot, but he’s still more than capable of tormenting left backs with his searing speed and relentless determination.
It would be a gamble to sign Gordon as an out-and-out Salah replacement given his preference for playing down the left, but there are few brighter stars than the Newcastle winger. He’s a homegrown talent with enormous potential to be a world-beating forward in the years to come.
Bradley Barcola
Bradley Barcola is another with a preference for playing on the left flank, but, like any winger worth their salt, he’s comfortable on the right, too. He’s managed six goals and 14 assists in 33 matches from the right wing across his career—seven of which have come across the last two seasons with European champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Barcola has exploded into life under Luis Enrique and his numbers were sensational in 2024–25. He totaled 21 goals and 18 assists for the French giants and has now racked up a healthy number of caps for France, scoring thrice since his senior debut in May 2024.
Some reports have claimed that Liverpool saw multiple bids for Barcola rebuffed by PSG last summer, with the Reds’ admiration for the phenom having been well-publicized.
Barcola has been somewhat overshadowed by clubmates Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé in recent times, but he’s just as important to PSG’s incredible transformation under Enrique. Liverpool would be foolish to ignore the Frenchman.
Yan Diomande
Yan Diomande has been tearing up the Bundesliga this season. Plucked from Spanish side Leganés by RB Leipzig last summer, few expected the 19-year-old to have such an instant impact for the German side. He’s already in double-digits for goals, and quickly approaching the milestone for assists, too.
Diomande’s versatility is one of his greatest assets, the Ivorian capable of playing on either wing, but most notable is his frightening pace and dribbling ability. While not the most graceful with the ball at his feet, he’s staggeringly successful when taking on opposition defenders, and can follow up his powerful bursts by applying a finishing touch.
Liverpool are reportedly among the sides interested in signing Diomande, rather unsurprisingly given the teenager’s potential, and Salah’s departure could accelerate any pursuit. Again, another mammoth fee would be required to prize him from Leipzig, but Diomande has the genuine potential to be one of the world’s best wingers over the next decade.
Maghnes Akliouche
Maghnes Akliouche has long caught the eye in Ligue 1. The France international rose through the academy at Monaco and his significance to the principality side has grown year on year. Last season was his best on paper, the tricky winger finishing up with seven goals and 12 assists across all competitions.
The 24-year-old has continued his stellar displays this term and is naturally drawing interest from across Europe. Liverpool will undoubtedly be aware of the Monaco star and their need to sign at least one winger—maybe two—this summer will have pushed Akliouche into their view.
An endlessly creative force from out wide with brilliant technical quality, he can also feature more centrally when required, and, perhaps crucially for Liverpool, is left-footed. Liverpool would be remiss to simply gloss over the Frenchman as they hunt Salah’s long-term heir.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Five Long-Term Replacements for Mohamed Salah at Liverpool.
