Life after Mo: The contenders to replace Salah should he depart Liverpool 

Antoine Semenyo – Bournemouth, Rodrygo – Real Madrid, Kenan Yildiz – Juventus and Bradley Barcola – PSG.

IN all likelihood, Mohamed Salah has played his final game for Liverpool. The Egyptian is expected to leave the Reds a club hero but his bombshell interview after last week’s 3-3 draw at Leeds effectively ended any way back into the club’s good books.

The defending champions can ill afford to pass up the chance to draft in a replacement in January as we pick out four they could target next month.

Antoine Semenyo – Bournemouth 

To some, the obvious choice. That Ghana failed to qualify for AFCON adds to Antoine Semenyo’s appeal. The Bournemouth star, who like Salah penned a new contract over the summer, has a £65m release clause in his contract that can be activated in the New Year.

Liverpool, though, have a transfer tussle on their hands. They aren’t the only side in for Semenyo, yet they are the rumoured frontrunners for his services. Admittedly, the 25-year-old has gone off the boil after a blistering start to the season, but then so have Bournemouth.

He’s not a right winger in the same vein as Salah, yet he’s able to play on that same flank. Dominant in the air and a hard worker off the ball, Semenyo is a forward who’d thrive in the current chaos at Anfield. All Liverpool need to do now is drop £65m off at the Vitality Stadium.

Rodrygo – Real Madrid 

Rodrygo is a different profile of wideman to Mohamed Salah, but a right winger all the same. Having struggled for game time under Xabi Alonso season, Rodrygo made a rare start in midweek and grasped the chance with both hands, scoring a fine first half opener past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

And yet, as speculation surrounding Alonso’s Real Madrid future continues to circulate, Rodrygo’s star showing will have given the Spaniard food for thought. Maybe – just maybe – Alonso should have utilised the Brazilian forward better?

If Wednesday’s loss to Manchester City was merely an exception to the rule, however, then Rodrygo needs to consider his future in Spain. With the World Cup fast approaching, minutes are vital for the 24-year-old.

He’d be a guaranteed starter for Liverpool, and offer the drive that has been found wanting down that right side. The former Santos may could prove the perfect Salah successor at Anfield.

Kenan Yildiz – Juventus 

Juventus want to keep Kenan Yildiz. Yildiz wants to stay at Juventus. And yet, talks over a new deal for the Turkish youngster are at an impasse. This has understandably put a number of Europe’s elite sides on red alert. The 20-year-old is one of the most coveted wingers on the continent, and for good reason.

Yildiz has five goals and three assists to his name in Serie A this season. The latter return should be higher. The versatile forward does, after all, rank fifth for chances created (28) in Italy’s top tier this term. In addition, the Turkey international ranks among the top 10 players for successful dribbles (18).

The Old Lady, however, are reluctant to cash in on Yildiz. They’ve seen young players such as Dean Huijsen, Mathias Soule and Koni De Winter go on to thrive elsewhere. The fervent fanbase wouldn’t forgive the club were Yildiz to tread the same path.

And to detract suitors, Juventus have supposedly slapped a €100m price tag on Yildiz. A drop in the ocean, no less, for the Premier League’s heavy hitters. Liverpool should certainly consider capitalising upon faltering contract negotiations to lock down their first-choice right winger.

Bradley Barcola – PSG 

Bradley Barcola hasn’t exactly struggled for minutes with PSG this season. The France international has featured in 12 of 15 league games at the time of writing. Yet the consensus remains that, with everyone fully fit, would he start for the French side?

Like Yildiz, Barcola is supposedly dallying over his decision to extend his stay in Paris. The European champions are believed to have offered a deal that would make him one of the club’s highest paid players. Without guarantees over a regular starting spot, however, the 23-year-old is said to be weighing up his future at the Parc des Princes.

That being said, Barcola isn’t a right winger in the same mould as Salah. Yes, like Semenyo he can play out there, but also like Semenyo; Barcola is a far more effective option from the left where he can cut inside. Indeed, 26 of 33 shots and four of five goals have come with his wand of a right foot.

Even so, he’s another who’d bring the drive and speed down the flanks that Liverpool have sorely lacked this season. Whether he’d be the ideal replacement for Salah, though, is another matter entirely. The defending champions would be better off pursuing a wideman better suited to the right rather than hoping Barcola may replicate his PSG performances at Anfield.