New Suarez: Liverpool agree personal terms to sign £65m Salah replacement

Liverpool are facing the extremely real possibility of parting ways with Mohamed Salah in January.

The Egyptian forward’s post-match outburst at Leeds United last weekend outlined in no uncertain terms his view toward being cast to the bench in recent matches. FSG and Arne Slot want to keep the 33-year-old, who extended a new £400k-per-week contract only in April after months of speculation. However, there is an acceptance that the situation may become untenable.

Salah has been Liverpool’s main man in the Premier League for many years. He is an all-time great. But he is also approaching the autumn of his prime years, and there’s no question that he has been well out of sorts this term, five goals and three assists across 19 fixtures.

Salah is off to AFCON after Liverpool host Brighton this weekend, a game that may not see the right winger grace the field. It may be farewell.

Liverpool's plans to replace Salah

Regardless of this developing Salah conundrum, Liverpool plan to sign a wide forward in 2026. Cody Gakpo has flattered to deceive on the left, and Luis Diaz was not directly replaced after his summer sale to Bayern Munich.

Liverpool also need a centre-back, but the urgency for a prolific winger is clearly getting more intense, and that’s why the Merseysiders have been confirmed to be leading the race for Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo, who has a £65m release clause in his contract that becomes active in January.

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool have agreed personal terms with the 25-year-old ahead of the winter window, though there is no confirmation over Semenyo’s movements as Manchester City press too.

This is boiling down to something of a jousting match between the English heavyweights, and it’s a battle FSG cannot afford to lose, with the versatile forward having the potential to be Liverpool’s new version of Luis Suarez.

Why Semenyo would be Liverpool's new Suarez

Semenyo, clearly, is not a similar player to Suarez, one of the greatest central strikers of his generation. But the Ghana international is a potent attacking threat and he has been named the “best winger in the country” by pundit Chris Waddle after posting six goals and three assists for Bournemouth this season.

Recognised by teammate Justin Kluivert for being a “world-class” player, so consistent in the final third, Semenyo is clearly itching to take the next step in his career and establish himself for a European heavyweight, and in this, he could make a talismanic introduction in the same vein as Suarez back in January 2011.

Let’s explain. Suarez arrived from Ajax as a raw and talented number nine, but few felt he had what it took to step into Fernando Torres’ boots. The iconic Spaniard forced his way out of Liverpool and signed for Chelsea in a contentious, record-breaking transfer. There he flattered to deceive.

Semenyo could echo this, arriving halfway through the campaign and making headway in Salah’s stead. The circumstances differ, but the Egyptian King is a heralded figure, and he will need someone capable to come in and take his spot, firing Liverpool back into the ascendancy.

Matches (starts)

13 (12)

11 (11)

Goals

4

6

Assists

2

3

Shots (on target)*

2.5 (0.8)

2.4 (1.4)

Big chances missed

6

5

Accurate passes*

21.5 (75%)

19.8 (78%)

Chances created*

2.2

1.0

Succ. dribbles*

0.8

1.6

Tackles*

0.2

1.7

Duels won*

2.3

6.5

Could Semenyo reach the same Suarez-esque level? It is impossible to say, though, how often have we seen a talented star need that level-up at a prominent outfit to unlock the extent of their potential?

The Uruguayan was one of the best in the world, but he started somewhere, and Salah did too, with the winger struggling at Chelsea before making his name in Italy with Fiorentina and then Roma. It was at Liverpool, though, that he became a superstar.

Liverpool football club have an incredible ability to come together during tough patches. It’s never quiet down Anfield Road, and while the Suarez sale felt like the beginning of the end times way back when, it actually precipitated the club’s golden period of modern times.

Jurgen Klopp enjoyed years of illustrious success with Salah as his talisman, but now, the Reds are into a new era, and though the circumstances are unsavoury, the veteran will not be plying his trade for the club forever.

Semenyo would be a fantastic mid-season addition, marking a continuation of Liverpool’s ability to keep on going. When Torres forced his way out, Suarez replaced him and played some of the finest football England has ever seen.

Now, it’s happening again. Semenyo hasn’t reached the top yet, but he has the potential to do so.

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