Liverpool face an uncertain future as they prepare for the departure of manager Jurgen Klopp and the potential sale of star winger Mohamed Salah. Klopp shocked the football world when he announced that he would be stepping down from his position at Anfield at the end of the season, two years before his contract was due to expire. There are rumors that former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, who is currently managing Bayer Leverkusen, could be a potential successor to Klopp.
However, it’s not just Klopp who could be leaving Liverpool this summer. Salah, who has been a key player for the Reds, is said to be of interest to clubs in Saudi Arabia. Last year, Al Ittihad made a £150 million offer for the Egyptian international, which was unsuccessful. Now, there are reports that Salah could make the move to the Middle East a year earlier than originally planned, especially with Klopp’s departure.
TalkSPORT’s Saudi correspondent Ben Jacobs believes that Salah’s potential move to Saudi Arabia could come from Al Hilal, who are currently leading the Saudi Pro League. The offer is expected to be similar to Al Ittihad’s previous offer, around £100 million upfront with additional add-ons. For Liverpool, it would be difficult to reject such a substantial offer, especially for a new manager who may want a budget to revamp the team.
There are also concerns about other key players potentially leaving Liverpool. Virgil van Dijk has hinted at a possible exit, although he later stated that he remains fully committed to the club. The future of Liverpool’s lineup without Klopp and Salah raises many questions. How will they line up next season under a new manager? Let’s take a look at some potential changes.
In defense, Alisson Becker is expected to continue as the first-choice goalkeeper. Trent Alexander-Arnold will likely retain his position as right-back, despite the emergence of academy graduate Connor Bradley. Andy Robertson, who is recovering from a shoulder injury, should resume his role as left-back. The preferred center-back pairing is expected to be Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.
In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister has excelled as the lone defensive midfielder this season and is likely to continue in that role. Dominik Szoboszlai will feature as a box-to-box midfielder, with the possibility of a new face joining as a No. 8. If Alonso is appointed as the new manager, he could bring in German starlet Florian Wirtz from Leverkusen. Wirtz has been impressive in the Bundesliga this season, contributing eight goals and 12 assists in 26 games.
Replacing Salah on the right wing will be a challenge for Liverpool. They have reportedly been tracking West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen as a potential replacement. Bowen has had a strong season so far, scoring 11 goals in the Premier League. On the left wing, Diogo Jota is expected to get the nod over Luis Diaz. Jota has been in good form, with 13 goals this season, including four in his last four Premier League matches.
Upfront, Darwin Nunez is likely to lead the line for Liverpool, ahead of Cody Gakpo. Nunez has shown his talent with double-digit goals and assists this season, despite some questions about his finishing.
Liverpool’s lineup for next season could see significant changes, with a new manager at the helm and the potential departure of Salah. However, the team has shown resilience in the past and will be looking to rebuild and compete for trophies once again. The coming months will be crucial for Liverpool as they navigate this transitional period and plan for a successful future.