One of Liverpool’s most difficult future challenges will be determining how to replace one of the club’s all-time greats. Mohamed Salah has already become a Merseyside icon, and rather than seeking for a replacement when he leaves, the Reds should be looking at potential future successors now.
However, replacing one of the world’s top players will be difficult. Brentford manager Thomas Frank praised Salah’s class following his brace against Brentford in the recent 3-0 Premier League triumph, which moved the Egyptian into the top three in the globe.
According to the Liverpool FC official website, he said at his post-match press conference at Anfield: “Off the top of my head, there’s a chance he’s the best player in the Premier League, potentially.” When it comes to goals and assists. What a skill!
“He has to be one of the world’s best offensive players.” Not top ten, but top three.”
While it appears that Salah will continue to play at the highest level for some time, Liverpool may yet hunt for a long-term replacement. Takefusa Kubo of Real Sociedad may be the finest current possibility.
Ben Doak is now being used in games when Salah is resting. Doak appears to be an exceptional future player, but as shown with the best clubs in Europe, depth is critical to maintaining supremacy at the highest level.
Kubo, an international teammate of Wataru End, has been impressive this season, and he has also been a star player for Real Sociedad in difficult games against Barcelona and Real Madrid. Six direct goal contributions in 14 starts from the right side in all competitions is a decent return for the 22-year-old, who has delivered a variety of finishes this season.
According to FBref, he is one of the world’s best-performing wingers in terms of progressive carries and successful take-ons, both of which he ranks in the top one percentile, laying the groundwork for a world-class manager like Jürgen Klopp to take his game to the next level in terms of production.
Kubo, who has already been capped 28 times by Japan, has played an important role in his country’s ascent, as they continue to record great results against reputed giants, and he looks set to take the next step at club level.
TransferMarkt rates him at roughly $54 million (£44 million/€50 million), while Football Transfers reports that his release clause is $65 million (£52 million/€60 million). Real Madrid incorporated a buy-back clause upon allowing him to go, allowing them to get him back for around half of the release clause value.
That transaction would still be great business by Liverpool, who would sign a future star for slightly more than Sadio Mané and Salah were purchased for when inflation is factored in. However, the Reds may still need to move quickly.
While the current performances of Los Blancos star Rodrygo may persuade Carlo Ancelotti to wait, it would only take one breakout season in Spain’s top flight to see clubs all over Europe vying for Kubo’s signature, potentially taking away one of the best potential Salah successors in recent seasons.