Liverpool’s Search for the Next Mohamed Salah: Analysis and Top Candidates
Liverpool’s Front Three: Facing a Generational Shift
The era-defining trio of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané, and Mohamed Salah were the backbone of Liverpool’s recent triumphs—including Premier League and UEFA Champions League victories. As all three approach or surpass their 30s and edge toward the end of their contracts in 2023, Liverpool faces the critical task of preparing for a new attacking era. The challenge is to identify young talents who can both match the current front three’s output and have the potential to develop into superstars over the next five years. This analysis focuses on the ideal successor to Mohamed Salah and spotlights emerging prospects who could step into his transformative role.
What Makes a Mohamed Salah Replacement?
Replacing Salah demands more than just finding a prolific scorer. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool plays at a breakneck tempo, built on high pressing, rapid passing, and relentless off-the-ball work—often dubbed “heavy-metal football.” Any incoming right winger must:
– Be under 26 years old (ensuring long-term impact)
– Thrive in high-pressing systems
– Boast excellent pace, acceleration, and physical durability
– Exhibit intelligence and creativity, not just as a finisher but as a creator
– Be comfortable on either foot, but especially adept at cutting in from the right onto their preferred left
– Be ready to learn from Salah and not require immediate stardom
Understanding the Salah Role at Liverpool
Mohamed Salah is much more than a traditional winger—he embodies Liverpool’s modern attacking philosophy:
– Versatility: Salah excels both as a right winger in a 4-3-3 and centrally as a striker in a 4-2-3-1.
– Left-footed brilliance: The majority of his goals come from cutting inside onto his stronger left foot.
– Goal variety: Salah’s scoring range includes long-range strikes, one-on-ones, and scrappy finishes.
– Creative evolution: With nearly 10 assists in just 20 games during a standout season, Salah’s impact as a playmaker continues to grow.
– Pressing catalyst: While not prolific in tackles or interceptions, Salah is a leader in pressing actions from the front—vital to Liverpool’s system.
– High ceiling: Prior to joining Liverpool, his peak was 15 Serie A goals for Roma. Under Klopp, his output (like that of Mané and Diogo Jota) expanded dramatically.
In summary, Liverpool’s next right winger must be fast, creative, intelligent, capable in transition and possession, and committed defensively.
Top Candidates to Succeed Mohamed Salah
Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United, Age 25)
Jarrod Bowen has emerged as a premier candidate for the Salah role. Entering his prime, Bowen is left-footed, versatile, and consistently produces both goals and assists. So far this Premier League season, he has tallied 6 goals and 7 assists in 23 appearances, demonstrating a knack for scoring with either foot and even his head. Bowen’s adaptability allows him to shift centrally and fill in as a striker—mirroring Salah’s role flexibility.
Bowen’s off-the-ball work is particularly impressive. He’s among the most industrious pressers of any Premier League wide player, logging over 160 pressures in the middle third and almost 100 in the attacking third. Despite West Ham’s preference for a mid-block rather than high-press, Bowen’s defensive intensity and stamina suggest he’d adapt seamlessly to Klopp’s demands. With Liverpool’s track record of maximizing players’ output, Bowen could elevate his game to another level at Anfield.
Moussa Diaby (Bayer Leverkusen, Age 22)
Moussa Diaby’s pace and directness have made him one of the most electrifying wingers in Europe. The French international, formerly at PSG and now starring at Bayer Leverkusen, has recorded 8 goals and 6 assists in just 18 Bundesliga matches, plus 3 goals and 2 assists in the Europa League.
Diaby is left-footed and excels in transition, boasting top speeds over 33 km/h. His chemistry with attacking fullbacks (notably Jeremie Frimpong) mimics the overlapping relationship Salah enjoys with Trent Alexander-Arnold. Eight of his goals in all competitions have come from his favored left, showing a clear parallel to Salah’s trademark movements.
Where Diaby must improve is in pressing and short-passing accuracy, as his current percentages and productivity in those areas lag behind ideal Liverpool standards. Still, at 22, he possesses the raw tools to evolve under Klopp’s coaching.
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal, Age 20)
Bukayo Saka, Arsenal’s standout attacker, represents both present ability and massive future upside. Despite being the youngest candidate, he’s already recognized for his work rate, creativity, and goal threat. With 6 goals and 4 assists in 21 league matches, Saka has matched Salah’s creative output on a per 90 basis for shot creation actions and is amongst the top in progressive carries and successful dribbles.
A natural left footer, Saka’s pressing intensity and defensive contributions under Mikel Arteta suit Liverpool’s philosophy. His finishing and goal creating actions (the final pass or involvement before a goal) are areas for development, but his ceiling is immense—and the chance to poach a rival’s most promising academy graduate could make strategic sense for Liverpool.
Federico Chiesa (Juventus, Age 24)
Federico Chiesa is both a goal-scorer and relentless presser. While naturally right-footed, Chiesa often cuts inside, scoring nearly half his goals with his left. His hallmark is work rate—he leads all candidates in tackles and pressing success, routinely logging over 2 tackles per 90 minutes.
Chiesa’s attacking output (8 goals and 8 assists in 2020-21) underscores his dual threat. While his current season was disrupted by a significant ACL injury and his style may not perfectly align with Salah’s, his versatility and tenacious pressing offer Liverpool something slightly different but equally valuable, especially if they seek to add defensive steel and dynamism to their forward line.
Who Should Liverpool Sign as Salah’s Successor?
Identifying a true replacement for Mohamed Salah is a near-impossible task—few players worldwide match his unique combination of pace, skill, intelligence, and goal-scoring record. However, based on stylistic fit, productivity, and value, Jarrod Bowen stands out as the strongest option. Bowen’s pressing intensity, direct goals and assists, and physical and tactical suitability make him an ideal candidate to thrive under Klopp. With a reported price tag around £32 million—coincidentally the same sum Liverpool paid for Salah in 2017—he represents exceptional value for money.
Younger options like Saka and Diaby offer even greater long-term potential and could be molded into elite wingers, though they carry higher developmental risk and would likely come at a premium. Chiesa, meanwhile, offers the strongest defensive qualities and versatility.
Conclusion
Liverpool’s success depends on recruiting forwards who can match the output, work rate, and adaptability of Klopp’s legendary front three. Among the leading candidates, Jarrod Bowen combines proven Premier League performance with attainable value, making him the most natural successor to Salah. However, the pursuit of high-ceiling talents like Saka and Diaby should not be ruled out, as Liverpool seeks to remain competitive for years to come.
For more in-depth tactical and transfer analysis, explore our transfer market series and additional player scouting reports.
