If Liverpool are serious about replacing Mohamed Salah, they need to get the chequebook out this summer. Simple as that.
Steven Gerrard said it last week. To succeed one of the greatest players of his generation, you need a marquee name. And he’s right. No more bargain hunting. No more projects. Liverpool need to go big.
But here’s the problem. According to Reds legend John Aldridge, they’ve already made their first mistake.
The Semenyo blunder
Antoine Semenyo left Bournemouth in January. Went to Manchester City. And Liverpool weren’t even at the table.
Aldridge is baffled by it.
Given Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s sporting director was working at Bournemouth when Semenyo was down south, he knew every detail of that contract. Every clause. Every release figure. Every conversation.
So why weren’t Liverpool in for him?
“He is a fantastic winger who can get you 15 goals and assists a season,” Aldridge wrote in his ECHO column. “Ideal for what they will be looking for this summer.”
Instead, City swooped. Liverpool watched. And now one of the most obvious Salah successors on the market is wearing blue.
The numbers game
Let’s talk about last summer. Because the narrative around Liverpool’s spending needs correcting.
Arne Slot has always said the club brought in £300m after spending £440m. Half of what was spent on Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and co was recouped in player sales.
But here’s the kicker, Arsenal outspent Liverpool net wise last summer.
Yes, Arsenal.
So the idea that Liverpool have emptied the war chest? Not quite. The ability to spend again is very much there.
What they need
Aldridge is clear on the shopping list. Three positions. Non negotiable.
A holding midfielder. A right winger. A centre back.
And at a club of Liverpool’s size, those players have to be best in class. That means money. Serious money.
As a Salah successor? Michael Olise at Bayern Munich is the dream. He’s been electric since leaving Crystal Palace. Top class. Proven. But Bayern won’t want to sell and he’d cost an absolute fortune.
The Salah factor
Let’s not forget Mo Salah’s contract is massive. It should cover the weekly wages of two top players all by itself.
But Salah isn’t the only one who needs replacing. Trent Alexander Arnold left for Real Madrid last summer. Luis Diaz has been outstanding at Bayern. Andy Robertson looks likely to follow. Ibrahima Konate is no closer to a new deal and could walk for free.
That’s a lot of talent walking out the door.
The pressure is on
Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards have got a huge summer ahead of them. And they don’t even know what European competition Liverpool will be in yet. That’s a major concern.
The gross spend and net spend figures suggest money is there. The squad needs say it’s non negotiable.
Aldridge’s message is clear: Liverpool need to spend big, spend smart, and stop watching their targets join rivals.
Because life after Mo Salah is coming. And it’s coming fast.
