Liverpool have five options to replace Mo Salah including £50m Prem star and wonderkid

Liverpool face the mammoth task of replacing Mohamed Salah next summer if they do not agree a new contract with their star man. After scoring the winning goal in their 3-2 triumph over Southampton, Salah revealed that he is yet to be offered an extension.

Replacing the 32-year-old is a daunting task for Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes. But there are several avenues he could explore if talks with Salah collapse.

Express Sport takes a look at five of Liverpool’s options, including a current Premier League star and a potential wonderkid.

Bryan Mbeumo

If Liverpool want a like-for-like replacement for Salah, Brentford’s Mbeumo is their best bet. The Frenchman is an out-and-out wide forward who is rarely involved in build-up and is at his best when in the final third.

Mbeumo, who Brentford reportedly value at £50m, does not take as many shots as Salah but is a hugely efficient finisher. The 25-year-old has already scored eight Premier League goals this season and is ready for a move to a top six club.

Florian Wirtz

Liverpool’s excellent start under Arne Slot should be enough to persuade the world’s best players that Anfield remains a well-desired destination in the post-Jurgen Klopp era. Bayer Leverkusen’s Wirtz would be an excellent replacement for Salah.

The 21-year-old is one of Europe’s best creators and is hugely prolific, just like the Egyptian. Liverpool would not be losing quality if they replaced Salah with Wirtz.

Liverpool would need to pay a huge and likely club-record fee to sign the Germany international. But it would be well worth the investment.

Raphinha

Raphinha would present a more short-term option than Mbeumo and Wirtz but could be an astute signing. Liverpool could take advantage of Barcelona’s financial issues to buy a player whose excellent La Liga form has gone under the radar.

The former Leeds star has scored eight goals and provided eight assists in the Spanish top-flight this term. Raphinha turns 28 in December but still has a couple of years at the top of his game while Liverpool search for longer-term replacements.

Rayan Cherki

If Liverpool want to take a punt on a rough diamond then they should look no further than Cherki. The 21-year-old’s progress has stalled since being heralded as one of the best young wingers in the world as a teenager, but could kick on in a more stable environment.

An excellent dribbler who has matured in front of goal, Cherki was linked with a departure from Lyon during the summer and Liverpool could land themselves an undervalued gem.

Ben Doak

Liverpool have often landed their best players by promoting from within. Nineteen-year-old winger Ben Doak has impressed during his first senior loan at Middlesbrough this season.

The Scot, who was signed from Celtic aged 16, was highly rated by Klopp and could be Salah’s heir.