# Takefusa Kubo: Could the Japanese Messi Replace Mohamed Salah at Liverpool?
The prospect of life without Mohamed Salah at Liverpool is one that no fan wants to consider, but with the Egyptian forward now 31, the Reds will eventually have to plan for the future. One name that has been touted as a potential replacement is Japan forward Takefusa Kubo, who has been dubbed the ‘Japanese Messi’ and has had pleasant words to say about Liverpool in the past.
## Takefusa Kubo’s Impressive Career So Far
Kubo joined Real Sociedad from Real Madrid last summer and notched nine goals and seven assists for his new club during the 2022/23 season. He has made a quick start to his 2023/24 campaign with three goals in his opening five appearances, and is emerging as a good potential fit should a vacancy on the right of the Reds’ forward line open up.
Kubo has been complimentary about Liverpool in the past, once describing them as “awesome”. He told Goal Japan back in 2019: “The team I think play the most interesting football is Liverpool. I feel they are awesome when I watch their games. It’s not really to say they are my ‘favourite’, but more like ‘awesome’. I like fast and skilful players. All the big teams have these types of players, and when I watch them I feel they are awesome. I am not very fast, so I really like players who possess overwhelming speed. Those players make me feel ‘Wow, awesome!’.”
## Ben Doak’s Role at Liverpool
Liverpool fended off Saudi Arabian interest in Salah over the summer but there are fears among supporters that Al-Ittihad will return for the Egyptian in future windows. Ben Doak signed a new deal at Anfield earlier this week and will have one eye on taking a chunk of Salah’s minutes having featured predominantly on the right in his senior appearances so far.
## Could Takefusa Kubo Replace Mohamed Salah?
At 31, the Reds will soon have to consider replacements for their talisman regardless of his imminent plans and Kubo is likely to tick a number of the boxes Liverpool will be looking for. His impressive start to his career has seen him dubbed the ‘Japanese Messi’ in his home country and his admiration for Liverpool could make negotiations easier should any future approach be made.
It is a prospect no Red wants to ponder, but like-for-like Salah replacements are in short supply and the recruitment team will have a job on their hands when the time comes to fill that void. Whether Takefusa Kubo is the answer remains to be seen, but he certainly looks like an intriguing option for Liverpool in the future.