Liverpool are in a challenging spot as they weigh their options for Mohamed Salah’s future.
With his current contract set to expire next summer, the club remains deep in negotiations, attempting to balance its desire to retain the Egyptian star with the reality of his age and potential long-term value. Salah will turn 33 in June, so Liverpool faces a tough decision: should they extend his current deal and continue paying his club-record wages or start planning for his replacement?
This situation isn’t entirely new to Liverpool. When Salah last extended his contract in 2022, similar discussions took place about the possibility of bringing in a new right-sided forward. Back then, Liverpool’s priority was to convince Salah to stay. However, if he had left, the club considered several potential replacements for the right-wing role. Surprisingly, one of those candidates was Antony, who is now with Manchester United.
As reported by Paul Joyce of The Times, Jurgen Klopp personally “discussed” Antony as a successor to Salah. At that time, Antony was showcasing his talents at Ajax, where he contributed 12 goals and 10 assists across 33 appearances during the 2021/22 season. Ajax went on to win the Eredivisie title and reached the Champions League’s last 16, which naturally drew interest from top clubs.
However, it was Liverpool’s owner, Fenway Sports Group (FSG) president Mike Gordon, who ultimately stepped in to resolve the contract issue. Gordon approved a lucrative deal worth £350,000 per week, ensuring Salah’s stay and securing him as Liverpool’s highest-paid player. Antony, on the other hand, moved to Manchester United in an eye-catching transfer worth up to £86 million, with a weekly wage of approximately £200,000. Since joining United, Antony has struggled to make a significant impact. With only 12 goals and five assists across 87 appearances, critics often regard his signing as one of the poorest in recent Premier League history.
Had Antony joined Liverpool instead, it’s uncertain whether he would have managed to fill the void Salah would have left. Given that Antony is currently playing under Erik ten Hag, his former coach at Ajax, he arguably had an ideal opportunity to thrive at United. Yet, the results haven’t lived up to expectations, hinting that his impact at Liverpool could have been equally limited.
Liverpool’s considerations for Salah’s future bring up the broader challenge they face in finding a capable replacement, should they decide not to extend his contract. The gap in quality between Salah and most other right-sided players is immense. Few in world football can operate at the level he does, with his goal-scoring consistency, pace, and technical ability unmatched in many respects. Even if Liverpool identifies a promising candidate now, there is no guarantee they would achieve the level of success Salah has brought to the team.
Antony’s inclusion as a potential successor to Salah serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the complexities of finding the right replacement. While Liverpool is determined to keep a sustainable, forward-thinking squad, the decision around Salah’s contract extension could profoundly shape the club’s success in the coming years.
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