Liverpool are now one step closer to signing their next Mohamed Salah and leading the race for him.
The Egyptian’s departure signals the close of a defining chapter for Liverpool, and finding a replacement this summer will be anything but straightforward.
Salah has been more than just an important player; he has been the heartbeat of Liverpool’s attack for years. His relentless consistency in front of goal has set him apart in the Premier League, making him not only the team’s most dependable performer but also a global symbol of the club.
What makes his exit particularly significant is the remarkable level of output he has maintained season after season. Even in what might be considered a “quiet” year, Salah has still ranked among the squad’s most influential figures.
Time and again, he has decided tight matches, delivering moments of quality exactly when they were needed most.
His versatility further complicates the task of replacing him. Whether cutting inside onto his stronger foot, timing runs in behind defences, or finishing instinctively in the box, Salah has operated as far more than a traditional winger—effectively as a complete forward.
Since his arrival in 2017, he has owned the right flank, holding that role with little genuine competition for nearly a decade.
Now, Liverpool face the daunting challenge of finding a successor – one that is far easier said than done.
There’s no like-for-like replacement for Salah.
Richard Hughes faces a significant challenge, not only in filling that void but also in addressing the absence of Luis Díaz, who departed last summer without a true successor being brought in.
As a result, Liverpool have often lacked natural depth in wide areas. When Salah or Cody Gakpo have been unavailable, the team has been forced to rely on makeshift solutions or players operating outside their preferred roles.
That imbalance has been evident in attack. At times, Liverpool have looked predictable and easier to defend against, lacking a genuine winger capable of holding width and consistently beating opponents one-on-one.
Resolving this issue by bringing in a right-sided attacker with a different profile to Salah will be the club’s top priority.
And there is a dream signing who could very much become the next Salah at Liverpool, and who has predominantly played as a right-winger in his career so far but could also play on the left.
His name is PSG’s Ibrahim Mbaye, who has been on Liverpool’s radar before. Now Mbaye is 18-year-old and he’s regarded as an outstading talent, who has played close to 50 senior games for PSG already.
However, recently he has fallen out of favour given the sheer number of players in his positions at the club.
And according to transfer expert Ekrem Konur writing on X, Liverpool are leading the race to sign the Senegalese youngster.
This would be an exciting move. Mbaye does love to cut into his stronger foot and the fact that he is very quick works in his favour as well.
As far as players who could become the next Salah at Anfield, he is a solid bet.