Mohamed Salah has been in scintillating form this season despite intense speculation linking him with a summer exit from Liverpool.

His contract on Merseyside runs out at the end of the campaign, with no signs of a potential renewal amid growing interest from wealthy Saudi Pro League clubs.

Salah had a rare day off last Sunday as Darwin Nunez netted two stoppage-time goals off the bench to inspire Arne Slot's side to a 2-0 win at Brentford.

Fans using VPN providers and other privacy tools to watch live action via streaming platforms had a chance to see the Uruguayan forward break his long-standing scoring drought to bail the Reds out of trouble. 

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A hard-earned victory at the Gtech Community Stadium could make the difference in the Premier League title race after Arsenal dropped two points against Aston Villa. 

Salah broke the internet with an Instagram post moments after the Gunners' 2-2 home draw via the Daily Mirror, potentially aiming a dig at Mikel Arteta's side. 

Winning the second league title at Anfield would be a fitting way for the ex-Chelsea flop to bid farewell to the club he has faithfully served in the past eight years.

One-man army

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The 32-year-old winger has been sensational since swapping Roma for Liverpool in 2017, becoming the club's fourth all-time top scorer with 232 goals in all competitions. 

Although the Egyptian is approaching the autumn of his playing career, he remains indispensable for the Reds. 

He has been crucial to Liverpool's dominant 2024/25 Premier League campaign under Slot, leading almost every attacking chart.

For context, the Premier League's top scorer has bagged 18 goals and added 13 assists from 21 top-flight appearances, taking his overall goal contribution to 31.

That accounts for 62% of Liverpool's league tally this term, highlighting Slot's reliance on his talismanic star. 

Salah's goals often bring luck to his team, with the Reds dropping points in only three of his 15 scoring appearances this season. 

What if

There's still hope among the Liverpool faithful that Salah will eventually pledge his future to Anfield.

However, the club must prepare for a worst-case scenario. 

Many potential like-for-like replacements, such as Bukayo Saka or Cole Palmer, are out of the Reds' reach.

Given Salah's immeasurable significance to Slot's tactical set-up, Liverpool can't afford to put the weight of replacing Salah on an up-and-coming youngster's shoulders.

Indeed, the runaway Premier League leaders need a proven solution.

Since such options are at a premium, Slot may want to consider acquiring the signature of an out-and-out striker.

Liverpool would need someone capable of matching the Egyptian's jaw-dropping numbers.

Options

After several English clubs failed to find common ground with Napoli last summer, Victor Osimhen joined Galatasaray on a shock season-long loan in September.

The 26-year-old reportedly has a €75m release clause that comes into effect at the end of the season

It would be an invitation for Liverpool to pick up where Chelsea and Manchester United left off. 

With ten goals from 13 league appearances, Osimhen has taken the Super Lig by storm, but there's no doubt he won't stay in Istanbul beyond the summer. 

His pace, experience and lethal scoring instincts could easily see him score 20+ goals per season in the Premier League - something Liverpool would desperately use in the post-Salah era.

But if the Reds are to pursue a younger alternative, RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko would be a decent option. 

At 21, Sesko is already an established Bundesliga star and one of Europe's most sought-after centre-forwards. 

He has ample room for improvement, yet time isn't a luxury the Merseyside powerhouse will be able to afford after parting with one of the most prolific players in club history.

It's debatable whether they can justify forking out the required €70m for a striker who averages 14 goals a season in Germany's top flight.

Written by Alan Spencer


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