Liverpool no longer have the “Mohamed Salah of old”, with Paul Ince speculating on two possible replacements for the Egyptian superstar.
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Egyptian has won seven trophiesScored over 200 goalsOnly 12 months left on contract(C)Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
Salah has been a talismanic presence at Anfield across seven memorable years, with Premier League and Champions League titles claimed while scoring 211 goals through 349 appearances. The 32-year-old does, however, have just 12 months remaining on his current contract and has been linked with a big-money move to the Saudi Pro League.
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Former Liverpool captain Ince has told of what the immediate future could hold for a legendary figure on Merseyside: “When the talk started to come out about Mohamed Salah going to Saudi at the back end of last season and how much they were prepared to pay him, I thought his form dropped. He wasn't the Salah of old. I think you've got to understand, Salah has been absolutely immense for Liverpool. Absolutely immense, year after year after year, scoring so many goals. But in the last three or four months of the season he looked a bit tired, a little bit jaded. He didn't look himself and his touch wasn't there. It's a tricky one because he's so important to Liverpool Football Club and has been for so many years. But when Kevin De Bruyne talks about potentially going to Saudi, other players are thinking exactly the same thing. I wouldn’t be surprised if Salah did go to Saudi, but I hope he stays because he's such a special player and because the manager wants him.”
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
There is no indication of Liverpool cashing in on Salah just yet, but Ince has floated two possible transfer targets for the Reds if they were to find themselves in the market for another right winger. The ex-England international said: “I think two players could replace Mohamed Salah at Liverpool. With Michael Olise, he's a very good kid, he could turn out to be a world class player but I think he needs another year at Palace to play regular football week in and week out. The two players I would pick when they are on their game are Mohammed Kudus at West Ham. I think he's very, very good. My favourite is Pedro Neto at Wolves. If he can just stay away from injuries, I think this player is going to be world class. I really, really do. So I hope he gets a lot of time in Portugal in the Euros because he is unbelievable. If Salah does go, I'll be going for Neto. I know the Wolves won't like me to hear me say that being an ex-Wolves player, but those are the two that I'd be looking at.”
WHAT NEXT?
Salah has suggested that he will be staying put, as he potentially runs his deal down towards free agency in 2025, but new Liverpool boss Arne Slot will be scouring the summer market for short and long-term additions to the squad that he has inherited from Jurgen Klopp.
