Replacing a club icon demands more than potential and pace. As uncertainty continues to swirl around Mohamed Salah’s future at Liverpool, speculation has naturally turned toward possible successors.
Among the names repeatedly linked is Athletic Club winger Nico Williams. Yet for all his promise, Liverpool would be taking a significant gamble if they positioned the Spaniard as the long-term answer to Salah’s eventual departure.
Salah’s uncertain future
There is a growing sense that Salah’s time at Anfield may be approaching its conclusion. The Egyptian forward has cut a frustrated figure this season, and his public outburst hinting at internal tensions has only intensified talk of a summer exit.
His return of four goals and six assists in 18 Premier League appearances falls short of the standards he has set, particularly for a player earning £400,000 per week.
At 34 this summer and with just a year left on his contract, Liverpool face a strategic decision. Cashing in now could represent their last realistic opportunity to secure a meaningful transfer fee. However, identifying the right successor is a far more delicate challenge than simply filling a vacancy on the right flank.
The Nico Williams question
Williams has long been admired across Europe. The Spanish winger’s performances for Athletic Club and his exciting international partnership with Lamine Yamal have elevated his profile.
Barcelona and Arsenal have both been credited with interest, while injury setbacks, including ongoing pubalgia issues, have clouded his current campaign.
Even setting aside fitness concerns, the statistical comparison with Salah is sobering. In the 2024/25 Premier League season, Salah produced 29 goals and 18 assists in 38 matches.
By contrast, Williams managed five goals and five assists in 29 LaLiga appearances during the same period. His broader record offers flashes of promise but little sustained elite-level output.
Output over aesthetics
Williams is dynamic and fearless in one-on-one situations, yet his efficiency raises questions. Across the past two seasons, he has attempted over 500 take-ons but completed fewer than 180 dribbles.
His crossing accuracy and pass completion rates remain inconsistent, while his final-third productivity lags behind what Liverpool would require from a direct Salah replacement.
At 24, there is still room for development. However, Liverpool are not in a position to experiment with a player who remains stylistically exciting but statistically unproven at the highest level. Under Arne Slot, structure and output are paramount.
If Salah departs, Liverpool must prioritise reliability and end product over flair. In Nico Williams, they would acquire potential. What they would not be guaranteed is a successor capable of sustaining one of the most remarkable attacking legacies in the club’s modern era.
