Months of speculation were put to bed on Friday morning when Mohamed Salah officially signed new terms with Liverpool. The Egyptian put pen-to-paper on a two-year extension to end the uncertainty surrounding his future.

And with Salah's new contract stretching through to the summer of 2027, the 32-year-old can now concentrate on breaking new records and winning more trophies.

But for Liverpool, the planning will no doubt begin as they search for a long-term replacement for their talisman, with Richard Hughes' department having the unenviable task of succession planning.

Just how soon should Liverpool be looking to sign that player, though? Especially with Salah possibly missing 10 games next season due to the scheduling of the African Cup of Nations. The Reds are also expected to overhaul several areas of their team, with the attack being of particularly interest to supporters.

Our writers have their say on Liverpool's recruitment:

Paul Gorst

The good news for Liverpool is that Mohamed Salah has signed a two-year contract extension. The bad news? It might only be a few months before we are all talking about the Egyptian's future as intensely as we have this season again. Joy.

What the new deal does do, however, is give Liverpool's key decision makers plenty of breathing room to make sure the 32-year-old's eventual successor is the right player to take on that mantle at Anfield.

The question is, with the Reds forward having the potential to miss as many as TEN games next season, as written by our very own Theo Squires this week, do Liverpool look to secure the long-term replacement this summer or next?

This coming window would give them the chance to blood in a younger player over more time, safe in the knowledge that the old master remains in place for next term, while kicking the issue down the road in favour of more pressing concerns means there is more of an acute need to get the big decision right in the summer of 2026.

It's a delicate balancing act for the recruitment department to weigh up. The idea of sourcing a Salah 'replacement' while he's still at the club allows more room to either make a rare transfer misstep or, as is more likely, give the player in question enough time to get to grips with the demands of being a key goalscorer at Anfield, without the intense pressure that comes with being a Liverpool star.

Whatever is decided, Liverpool have at least given themselves plenty of time and space to make sure life after Salah is as seamless as it was after, say, Jurgen Klopp. It promises to be a goal-laden two years for the No.11, whatever happens in the transfer market.

My personal hunch is that Liverpool will feel there are other areas that will require attention and transfer funds rather than buying another forward who may not feature much due to Salah's enduring brilliance.

Theo Squires

Mohamed Salah has been an ever-present in the Premier League this season, with Arne Slot regularly pointing in the direction of the Egyptian when explaining Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott's lack of game-time.

It will be a very different story next season though, due to the scheduling of the Africa Cup of Nations in December and January.

Under Jurgen Klopp, the likes of Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were all turned to on the right during Salah's brief absences on international duty. But he will miss more Premier League outings than ever before due to this new scheduling.

Slot needs to find an alternative, be it entrusting Chiesa or Elliott more next season, utilising the likes of Diaz or Dominik Szoboszlai out of position or turning to the transfer market.

With Salah set to turn 33 this summer, it will not be long before his future is the subject of speculation and Liverpool are left again pondering possible long-term replacements for their Egyptian King despite his new two-year contract. While an ever-present this year, there might soon come a time when his game-time is managed a little more carefully to ensure the Reds can enjoy his best form for longer.

I expect Liverpool to sign a new number nine this summer with such an arrival one of their priorities. A new right-winger to initially sit behind Salah is not one. However, further attacking arrivals could be necessary depending on departures.

Darwin Nunez is expected to leave, but if Diaz or Chiesa followed him out the door, it would create a vacancy that can be filled by a Salah alternative. A versatile forward would likely be best, given the Egyptian's presence still blocks the pathway - as the Italian has in particular has found out this season.

Consequently, it is not yet time to target a long-term successor just yet. But with Slot favouring six senior forwards in his ranks, one of his other options will need to step up when required.

Whether that falls to Chiesa or a summer signing remains to be seen. If Slot doesn't fancy the Italian in the long-term, so be it, but then another forward must be sought.

But whatever the choice, Liverpool will need to make better use of such a player next season, even when they have Salah available, to ensure they are in the strongest position possible when they find themselves left without the Egyptian.

Joe Rimmer

The ink is still wet on Mohamed Salah's new Liverpool deal and here we are debating his succession plan, such are the demands in modern football.

But after a power vacuum at the top of the club left the Reds in last minute negotiations to get this deal done, Richard Hughes' more settled recruitment team will certainly be hoping to avoid such situations in the future as they begin plotting the next few seasons.

And while Liverpool consider their options for this summer, it might be worth ensuring that, whichever forward they most likely target, they are versatile (and good) enough to assume Salah's mantle when he departs first for AFCON and then eventually when his time at Anfield does come to an end.

Securing that player sooner rather than later is the most logical option, if slightly easier said than done. Indeed, Darwin Nunez would certainly have been expected to become Liverpool's main striker after arriving from Benfica.

But have no doubt Liverpool will be planning for the short, medium and long-term. It's going to be a big summer at Anfield.