Six players Liverpool could sign in January to replace Mohamed Salah

There can surely be no way back for Mohamed Salah, with the drawbridge being raised and the separation growing ever deeper between Liverpool and one of the finest players the club has seen in its 133-year history.

From revealing the apparent deterioration of his relationship with Arne Slot to suggesting he has been ‘thrown under a bus’, Liverpool’s Egyptian King appears intent on severing all ties and vacating his throne.

The right royal s***show arrived at Slot’s door after Liverpool surrendered a late lead to draw 3-3 with Leeds – a result that took the club’s recent record to just one win in six in all competitions.

But the story that has gone on to dominate the headlines didn’t really play out on the pitch at all, rather the substitutes bench, where Salah was left to fester for the entirety of Saturday’s rollercoaster contest at Elland Road.

It was the third time in succession that Salah had been named amongst Slot’s replacements – but the forward came on at the halfway stage against Sunderland previously, with the Reds desperate for some added impetus.

The latest perceived insult from Slot prompted an incensed Salah to seek out the press in the mixed zone, something he has supposedly only done four times in his eight-and-a-half years with the Merseyside giants.

It came after Salah was seen holding his hands up and waving to Liverpool’s travelling support at Leeds, which many now believe was his way of saying goodbye.

Liverpool have been emphatic with their response, axeing the 33-year-old attacker from their squad to face Inter Milan in the Champions League – in other words, leaving behind 420 games worth of experience, 250 goals and seven pieces of major silverware on the runway at John Lennon Aiport.

Slot stressed that he was not a ‘weak’ head coach but refused to categorically rule out the possibility of Salah returning to the fold at some stage down the line when facing the media on Monday evening.

But for Slot, a manager who already finds himself under intense pressure after a miserable few months at the helm, the idea of clearing the path for Salah’s proposed return could hardly be considered a display of strength.

As such, Liverpool’s hierarchy should be looking to the January transfer market, begrudgingly or otherwise, for a realistic option who could come in and replace Salah.

Easier said than done, right? Well, yes.

After all, Salah has managed a tally of at least 23 goals in each of his eight seasons at Anfield. Unfortunately, players capable of that level of quality and consistency do not grow on trees.

But while out-and-out centre-forwards are something of a dying breed in the game, there is no shortage of attackers and right wingers with characteristics resembling those that have helped make Salah a modern great.

Antoine Semenyo

Perhaps the most heavily linked player on this list, Antoine Semenyo has made himself nigh-on impossible to ignore with his outstanding start to the season at Bournemouth.

Following on from an eye-catching 2024/25 campaign, Semenyo has terrorised opposition defences up and down the land, much like Salah in his pomp, racking up six goals and three assists in his first 14 appearances.

Slot witnessed Semenyo’s talents first-hand on the very first day of the season, when Liverpool were given an early warning sign that their defence of the Premier League title would certainly be no easy ride.

Semenyo’s stats for Bournemouth (all competitions)

Appearances: 104

Goals: 28

Assists: 13

Semenyo scored twice that day, outclassing and outmuscling Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, while running Milos Kerkez ragged on the right flank. His former Bournemouth team-mate has seemingly never recovered.

It was widely reported last month that Semenyo has a £65million release clause in his contract that can be triggered in the first two weeks of January.

The Premier League champions would frankly be silly not to at least have the Ghana international on their transfer shortlist. There will be no shortage of interest in the versatile 25-year-old, though, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham also known to be admirers.

Jarrod Bowen

Maybe the closest thing to Salah playing in the Premier League right now, Jarrod Bowen has proven himself to be among the most consistent – and indeed feared – attackers in English football, even during West Ham’s more difficult times.

It shouldn’t be forgotten that Jurgen Klopp named Bowen as his ‘favourite’ footballer playing outside of Liverpool just two years ago.

Perhaps Klopp saw a possible Salah successor in Bowen at the time, with the Saudi Pro League’s pursuit of the Egyptian already well underway at that stage.

Bowen’s stats for West Ham (all competitions)

Appearances: 254 appearances

Goals: 78 goals

Assists: 53

Despite usually occupying the right flank, the England international has been the Hammers’ top scorer and most potent attacking weapon in each of the last four seasons. He is also level-pegging with Callum Wilson on four goals for the lowly Irons this time around.

At 28, Bowen is right in the prime years of his career and may be questioning how many more opportunities he will have to secure a move to a club competing for major honours.

But Nuno Espirito Santo has been clear that Bowen is central to his plans for the future and Liverpool would have an almighty battle on their hands in prising the West Ham skipper away from the London Stadium.

Karim Adeyemi

Should Liverpool look further afield for someone to fill the sizeable boots left behind by Salah, there is a strong argument that Karim Adeyemi could be the best possible fit.

The 23-year-old Borussia Dortmund winger, a player renowned for his blistering turn of pace, has long been mooted as a potential superstar in the making and one seemingly tailor-made for Premier League football.

This season, Adeyemi has racked up six goals and three assists in all competitions for BVB and his contribution in the final third has been vital, with the club riding a six-match unbeaten streak in the Bundesliga.

Liverpool have been tentatively linked with Adeyemi for some time, with the German’s versatility undoubtedly a trait that would appeal to Anfield bosses in their search for Salah’s would-be replacement.

Adeyemi’s stats for Dortmund (all competitions)

Appearances: 126

Goals: 32

Assists: 22

The former Red Bull Salzburg speedster has just 18 months remaining on his current contract and there has been mounting speculation that this season could be his last at at Westfalenstadion.

However, if recent reports are to be believed, Adeyemi would favour a move to Arsenal if he were to up sticks and ditch German football for England.

Adeyemi’s recent conduct off the field may have Liverpool doubting a move. Earlier this month, the forward hit the headlines in Germany for all the wrong reasons after he was charged with the possession of two illegal weapons – a knuckleduster and a stun gun.

Yan Diomande

Yan Diomande has burst onto the scene at RB Leipzig this season, announcing himself as one of the most exciting attacking talents in German football in recent memory.

The 19-year-old hasn’t looked back having joined from La Liga 2 outfit Leganes in the summer, notching six goals and two assists in his first nine starts in the Bundesliga.

When Salah was whinging about being tossed under buses on Saturday, three came at once for Diomande. The teenager’s stunning hat-trick in a 6-0 thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt, which came in the space of just 17 minutes, was truly a sight to behold.

Diomande’s stats for RB Leipzig (all competitions)

Appearances: 15

Goals: 7

Assists: 4

According to Sky journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Diomande is already firmly on Liverpool’s radar and ‘very advanced’ talks are underway over a proposed switch to Merseyside.

But with Diomande’s Leipzig career still in its infancy, a big-money move to Liverpool may be deemed a little premature at this stage.

Soon enough, though, the eyes of the world will be focussed on Diomande if the Ivory Coast international continues on the same trajectory. Liverpool would be wise to start positioning themselves accordingly.

Malick Fofana

If the Reds were to pursue an option with both the present and future in mind, then Malick Fofana may be a player to find himself in their crosshairs this January.

In only his second full season at Lyon last term, the highly rated 20-year-old caused Ligue 1 full-backs nightmares with his dribbling, trickery and lightning-fast acceleration.

Though Fofana is primarily seen as a left winger, he has also operated on Salah’s favourited right-hand side, or even a more conventional centre-forward, despite his slight frame and diminutive stature.

Fofana’s stats for Lyon (all competitions)

Appearances: 74

Goals: 17

Assists: 8

A serious ankle injury came at a horrible time for Fofana and has hampered his progress this season, keeping the youngster sidelined since October.

But there were enough flashes of brilliance in the first two months of Lyon’s campaign, in which Fofana notched two goals and an assist, to show why top clubs around Europe are beginning to circle for the Belgium international.

In a recent interview with Belgian newspaper De Morgen, Fofana’s agent Frederico Pena went on record saying his client ‘belonged’ to play for a club like Liverpool, Manchester City or Bayern Munich next season.

Rodrygo

If ever there was a player crying out for a new challenge and a fresh start, it’s Rodrygo.

Once regarded as one of the brightest young talents in world football, the Brazilian has plummeted down the pecking order at Real Madrid under Xabi Alonso and appears to be badly struggling for confidence.

A return of just one assists – and zero goals – from 17 appearances this season doesn’t exactly scream ‘sure-fire Mohamed Salah replacement’, but an in-form Rodrygo is unplayable on his day, as countless defenders can attest.

Rodrygo’s stats for Real Madrid (all competitions)

Appearances: 287

Goals: 68

Assists: 53

The 24-year-old, who has lifted a total of 13 trophies across seven years in Madrid’s first-team, primarily takes up a position on the left. But he has been known to slot into various attacking setups over the course his glittering spell at the Bernabeu, also playing on the right, as a second striker or even attacking midfielder.

Reports emanating out of Spain this week suggested Rodrygo had been identified as Liverpool’s number one target to fill the void set to be left by Salah.

Madrid are said to be open to offers for Rodrygo this winter and have slapped a £70million price tag on the two-time Champions League winner.

While Salah’s time at the top appears to be nearing its end, and fast, Liverpool could prove the perfect environment for Rodrygo to rediscover his mojo and resurrect his career.