Liverpool are quietly preparing for a possible post-Mohamed Salah era as fresh reports suggest Saudi Pro League powerhouse Al-Ittihad has opened preliminary contract discussions with the Egyptian forward.
While no final decision has been made, growing speculation surrounding Salah’s future is forcing Liverpool’s recruitment team to accelerate contingency plans for life without one of the club’s most influential players of the modern era.
The prospect of losing the 33-year-old, who has defined Liverpool’s attacking identity for nearly a decade, presents both a tactical challenge and a strategic opportunity for the Merseyside club.
Salah’s impact since arriving from AS Roma in 2017 has been monumental, but recent performances have raised questions about whether he can maintain the explosive pace and match-winning consistency that made him one of world football’s most feared wingers.
With his wages among the highest in Liverpool’s squad and defensive contributions often limited, a potential departure could provide financial flexibility while allowing manager Arne Slot to reshape the attacking structure of his team.
Among the players Liverpool are closely monitoring is Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, whose versatility and physical presence have impressed Premier League observers this season.
Rogers has evolved into a dynamic attacking option capable of operating across multiple forward positions, offering Liverpool tactical adaptability even though he is not a traditional right-sided winger.
However, Villa’s likely high valuation and Rogers’ potential hesitation to leave a project where he is a central figure could complicate negotiations. Paris Saint-Germain attacker Bradley Barcola also remains a player admired by Liverpool’s scouting department.
The French forward offers natural width, pace and technical flair that mirrors some of Salah’s attacking traits. Liverpool previously explored the possibility of signing Barcola, but the rapid development of academy prospect Rio Ngumoha reduced urgency in pursuing the deal.
Another emerging name under consideration is RB Leipzig youngster Yan Diomande, who has quickly established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s most promising teenage attackers. Liverpool’s strong relationship with Leipzig, strengthened by previous transfers involving Ibrahima Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai, could facilitate negotiations if interest intensifies.
Despite their qualities, Rogers, Barcola and Diomande share a notable limitation as none naturally operates as a left-footed right winger like Salah, highlighting the scarcity of suitable replacements in the current market.
Alternative targets such as Michael Olise, Franco Mastantuono, Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke either carry prohibitive price tags or appear unlikely to move.
