'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Even though Mohamed Salah, 31, is still a Liverpool player, things could change drastically in 2024. Given his age, contract situation, and the money which Saudi Arabian sides are likely to offer, it won’t be a surprise if Liverpool and Salah decide to part ways next summer.
While Liverpool were right to reject bids from Saudi Arabia this summer, they should start looking for his eventual replacement. Salah is the best left-footed right-winger available in the market, and replacing him would be a tall order for the Reds.
Given the dearth of world-class wingers in the market, if the Reds fail to land a suitable target, it could cost them dearly in both the financial and footballing sense.
So, without any further ado, let’s look at three possible replacements for Salah that Liverpool could target in 2024:
#3. Michael Olise
Michael Olise was one of the most sought-after players this summer after a scintillating 2022-23 Premier League season. Manchester City were certainly in the hunt for the Frenchman after letting Riyad Mahrez go before Chelsea appeared as the front-runners for his signature.
In the end, Crystal Palace managed to hold onto their prized asset for one more year, while also improving their chances of getting a much bigger transfer fee for him next summer. While Olise is far from the finished article, he won’t be short of suitors next season.
Olise is primarily a left-footed attacking midfielder who can play as a right-winger as well as a No. 10. One of his most prominent strengths is his ability to carve open defenses with ease, highlighted by 1.9 key passes per game in league play last season (stats per WhoScored).
Salah is not just a regular goal scorer for Liverpool; he is also an elite playmaker who can pick out passes in the attacking third with ease. In that sense, Olise will be a terrific addition to an already sumptuous Liverpool forward line. He just needs to work on his finishing skills, and he could be an automatic starter at Anfield.
#2. Jarrod Bowen
While Jarrod Bowen struggled to make much of an impact last season, he still scored 13 times in 54 appearances. However, the cherry on top was the winning goal in the final of the Europa Conference League. Consequently, the Hammers qualified for the Europa Conference League despite finishing 14th in the Premier League.
Regardless of his form, Bowen has all the tools to be a huge success at Liverpool. The Englishman is gifted with good technique and an eye for goal. Besides, he can also use his devastating left foot to create scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Bowen has provided 52 goal contributions in the last two seasons and has already hit the ground running this season. The Englishman alreadt has seven goal contributions in only nine games this season, and he looks primed to get better from here.
His experience in the Premier League would also be a huge plus for Klopp’s team. Bowen could be as reliable as Salah in a much better setup at Liverpool as compared to West Ham. And even though he won’t come cheap, he definitely fits the bill.
#1. Johan Bakayoko
Still a rough diamond, the Belgian winger had his breakthrough during the 2022-23 season. He scored nine times and provided six assists in 39 appearances as PSV Eindhoven finished second in the league while outscoring winners Feyenoord.
Even though Bakayoko is yet to prove himself in Europe's top-five leagues, he could be a long-term replacement for Salah. The Belgian rejected the chance to play for Brentford to feature in the Champions League. And this season, he has been a revelation in the biggest club competition in the world.
PSV qualified for the Champions League on the back of Bakayoko’s four assists in four qualifying games. Besides, his exceptional ball-carrying skills and the ability to pick a pass in the final third could solve most of Jurgen Klopp’s problems.
However, the competition would be fierce for a promising prospect with a huge ceiling.
