It’s coming, whether we want to admit it or not. The day Mohamed Salah pulls on a Liverpool shirt for the last time. For nine seasons, Anfield has been his stage, a place where he’s carved out a legacy that few could have predicted when he arrived from Roma for a modest £34 million in 2017. He's not just a goalscorer; he's *the* goalscorer, sitting fifth on the club's all-time list with 211 goals in 349 appearances, trailing only the likes of Ian Rush and Roger Hunt. That's absurd production for a winger.
Thing is, this isn't some slow decline. Salah is still delivering. He bagged 25 goals across all competitions last season and added 18 assists, proving he's still a world-class creator even as he approaches his 32nd birthday. He even scored 19 Premier League goals, finishing fifth in the Golden Boot race. Those aren't numbers of a player on his way out; those are numbers of a player who still dictates games. But with his contract expiring in the summer of 2025 and Saudi interest a constant hum, the writing feels like it's on the wall. Liverpool isn't going to let him walk for free.
A proper farewell for Salah would involve lifting some silverware, wouldn't it? He’s already won the Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup, and the League Cup. He was instrumental in the 2019 Champions League final, scoring a penalty against Tottenham just two minutes into the game. He also converted the decisive spot-kick in the 2022 FA Cup final shootout against Chelsea. The man delivers in big moments.
But one more big trophy, maybe the FA Cup again, or even a shot at the Champions League, would be a fitting end. Liverpool’s recent FA Cup run saw them beat Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates and Norwich City 5-2 at Anfield. They bowed out to Manchester United in a thrilling 4-3 quarter-final clash, a game Salah scored in. That loss stings, especially after they were up 2-1 in extra time. It felt like a missed opportunity for a proper send-off. Here's the thing: while the sentiment of a trophy farewell is nice, it’s a romantic notion that rarely plays out perfectly. Liverpool’s priority is always winning, regardless of who is leaving.
The real headache for Liverpool's new sporting director, Richard Hughes, and whoever takes over from Jürgen Klopp, will be replacing Salah's output. You don't just find another player who consistently scores 20+ goals and 10+ assists from the right wing. It's an almost impossible task. Luis Díaz, Diogo Jota, and Cody Gakpo are all talented, but none of them possess Salah’s unique blend of pace, power, and clinical finishing. Jota had a strong season with 15 goals in all competitions, but he's also prone to injuries. Díaz's 13 goals were decent, but he still lacks the consistency of the Egyptian King.
Real talk: Liverpool might need to sign two players to even come close to replicating Salah's impact. Maybe a direct winger and a creative midfielder to share the burden. The transfer market for a player of Salah's caliber is astronomical, likely north of £100 million. My hot take? Liverpool won't replace him directly. They'll evolve their system, spreading the goalscoring responsibility across multiple players, much like Manchester City did after Sergio Agüero left. It won't be as exciting, but it might be more sustainable.
Salah will get his grand farewell, likely a standing ovation that lasts for minutes, tears flowing freely from the Kop. He deserves nothing less. But the biggest challenge for Liverpool won't be saying goodbye; it will be figuring out how to win without him. I predict Liverpool will sign a promising young winger from the Bundesliga, like Bayern Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong, and a proven goalscorer from a mid-table Premier League side to try and fill the void.