Rabat – Liverpool announced that “Egyptian King” and Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah will leave the club at the end of the season. During his nine-year tenure at the club, the Egyptian national set multiple records.
He has generated 534 chances during open play, the most of any player in the Premier League, most goal contributions for any one club in the Premier League (281), most Premier League games in which a player has recorded both a goal and an assist (42), and quickest hat trick during a Champions League game (6 minutes, 12 seconds).
With his departure looming the Reds are tasked with finding a replacement for the four time Premier League Golden Boot recipient. Liverpool has an eight-player shortlist of replacements for the Egyptian King.
Top options include Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), and the current favorite, RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande.
Michael Olise- Bayern Munich
Olise is arguably the ideal replacement for the Reds, a proven player and inverted right winger who would slot perfectly into the hole left by Salah.
Similar to Salah, Olise has demonstrated playmaking potential at the highest level, creating shot-making opportunities in nearly impossible fashion.
He possesses elite dribbling and ball control, allowing him to cut inside efficiently as well as the ability to thread the needle consistently, landing passes through the toughest of defenses.
The Bayern Munich striker consistently ranks among the top players for progressive carries, successful dribbles, and expected assists.
This season, he currently leads in total assists across all five leagues with 23 total assists, coupled with his 16 goals, his performance has helped propel Bayern Munich to the top of the Bundesliga and second overall in the Champions League.
While Olise is the likely most desirable replacement option for the Reds he is currently in top form, and it will be difficult if not near impossible,
for Liverpool to convince Bayern Munich to release one of their top talents. The front office likely would also struggle to come up with the funds for such a large acquisition after the record-breaking signings of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz at the start of the season.
This makes Olise an unrealistic signing for Liverpool who are likely to focus the brunt of their efforts on other strong players.
Anthony Gordon-Newcastle
Anthony Gordon is a Liverpool native who previously played for their academy team and nearly joined the Reds back in 2024.
He has previously mentioned his desire to join the club. Gordon has proven himself in the Premier League and has despite the Magpies’ poor performance this season, has shown himself to be an elite talent.
Gordon’s style is not a one-for-one replacement for Salah; he prefers to play on the left side rather than the right. As a winger who only plays on the left side the Reds likely only want him if they can release current underperforming left winger Cody Gapko first.
The Reds are still likely interested due to his high-level scoring talent and pacing. At 24, his youth would be refreshing to the team as a player entering the prime of their career during a time when the Magpies are stagnating.
Gordon’s contract does not include a release clause, meaning that he would have to be released on Newcastle’s terms. After the drama that ended with the signing of Alexander Isak last season it is likely that the rift between the teams might cause some issues for the Reds if they want to acquire Gordon.
Bradley Barcola– Paris Saint-Germain
Bradley Barcola is a top-level 1v1 striker with speed and acceleration that has distinguished him from others of a similar caliber.
He has managed to make a name for himself at PSG post Mbappe, and while he is not a consistent starter on the team, he is a focal part of the rotation, starting 15 of their 27 matches in Ligue 1 and all 12 of their Champions League matches.
There were rumors last summer linking Barcola to a possible Liverpool transfer. Liverpool reportedly submitted a verbal offer over the summer that was rejected by the Paris club.
As a player who plays predominantly on the left wing, his acquisition might still fight Liverpool’s changing tactical identity stylistically with his speed and ability to stretch the defense, allowing the offense to evolve.
Barcola has stated that he is “So happy” in Paris; however, the French team already has depth at the position, which sees Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé, and Désiré Doué also competing for positions in the starting lineup. We may see Barcola go; however, PSG is under no pressure to sell one of their stars, especially when he is satisfied with his position in the club.
PSG already denied one offer from the Reds last summer. If this year they are willing to let him go it is not going to be cheap and most likely at a price point not suitable for the Liverpool front office.
Yan Diomande- RB Lepzeig
Yan Diomande has emerged as a standout winger for Lepzeig this season with 11 goals and 8 assists in 29 games.
With the ability to play on both the right and left sides, coupled with superb ball control and dribbling ability, he would fit perfectly into Liverpool’s attacking scheme, and at only 19 years old, he is a potential long-term investment for the club.
Sky Sports reports that Diomande is one of the top three preferred candidates to replace Salah.
RB Lepzeig has already confirmed that it will be “extremely difficult” to retain Diomande on the team after his breakout performance this season. However, they are trying to convince him to stay.
Sky Sports Germany reporter, Phillip Heinz, posted on X, “RB Leipzig want to convince Yan Diomande to stay for another season, but the Bundesliga club is still preparing for big offers. Leipzig remains firm: the price tag stays at $100m or more.
Contract until 2030. They want to keep Diomande, but know it will be extremely difficult. The high price tag could deter one or two interested clubs.”
Diomande has already made it clear in an Instagram live that he wants to play at Anfield, stating, “I want to play at Anfield, I want to play for Liverpool,” even indicating it is a dream for his family to see him in a Reds jersey as well, “I’m a big Liverpool fan. My father’s dream is to see me play for Liverpool.”
Liverpool and RB Leipzig already have a good relationship, making a deal between the two clubs more likely.
With a rumored price tag of €100m ($115m) it is likely that Liverpool would have to wait until the summer to procure the funds for his transfer.
Without a release clause in his current contract, Leipzig controls the reins on his future. However, if the front office can achieve the funds, it seems likely that Anfield will be the new home for the young star.