Arne Slot could cause the young player to blow up.
There hasn’t been a summer transfer window like the one in 2024 for Liverpool fans. A major shift in leadership has occurred with Jurgen Klopp’s departure and the hiring of Arne Slot.
The Reds are poised to part ways with Jurgen Klopp after nearly a decade in charge and eight major titles, including the Champions League in 2018–19 and their only Premier League victory to date in 2019–20. He leaves the club as a legendary figure in the Premier League.
Because Klopp is leaving, it’s fair to wonder if any other employees or players will follow him out the door at Anfield. His long-term assistant coach, Pepijn Lijnders, is reportedly departing. The Dutchman is set to make a name for himself in management next season when he joins RB Salzburg.
For instance, when Klopp’s contract with Liverpool expires next week, players like Thiago and Virgil van Dijk may go. Since Van Dijk recently said in an interview that he will be “a part of” the “big transition” at Anfield this summer, it’s safe to assume that he will remain. According to James Pearce of The Athletic, the Spaniard is rumored to be leaving.
As one Liverpool legend says goodbye to Klopp, another Liverpool great may wear the red and white for his final match next Saturday.
Liverpool may lose a legendary winger
Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah is the guy in issue; rumours have circulated that he will leave Liverpool when Klopp’s contract ends next Sunday’s match against Wolves at Anfield.
It would be remiss of me not to mention Salah as a Premier League and Liverpool legend. Despite playing for Chelsea twice, he has 157 Premier League goals to go along with his 89 assists in 348 games for Liverpool.
Still, back in February, former Egypt attacker Mido made the suggestion that Salah would follow Klopp out of Anfield come summertime. According to the former Tottenham striker, the Liverpool winger’s contracts to play in Saudi Arabia the next season had “been signed.”
According to other reports from sources such as Sky Sports, “Liverpool are not planning to sell” Salah this summer, therefore it seems like he will stay at Liverpool even though Klopp has decided to go.
The Reds would have to find a successor if Salah were to leave Anfield this summer, and his future is still up in the air.
He has been connected to players like Rodrygo, a winger for Real Madrid, thus Liverpool may decide to promote one of their younger players to replace Salah.
Salah’s ready-made successor for Liverpool
The best internal candidate to replace Salah this summer might be the talented winger Ben Doak. Klopp has a lot of respect for the Scotland U21 international, and he has given him plenty of first-team opportunities at Liverpool over the last two seasons. He joined the club in 2022 after leaving Celtic for a reported £600,000.
In a recent interview, Klopp mentioned the 18-year-old Doak by name, praising his “straightforward bravery” and describing the young man as a “special boy, really confident, has something nobody else delivers really.”
Doak is a talented dribbler, and Klopp has given him enough of chances to play for the first team. Ten games have been played by the winger for Liverpool, with three of those coming in the Premier League throughout the past two years.
Although he hasn’t found the back of the net or set up a teammate for Liverpool just yet, Doak has been a major contributor for the academy.
The 18-year-old feels like he will soon score for the first team after tallying 11 goals and dishing out eight assists at the youth level. Indeed, he is prepared to soar under the guidance of Slot, another inspirational coach.
Though they may have made the right choice in spending the rumoured £85.7 million on Rodrygo, Liverpool might have been better served by prioritizing the creation of the electric Doak. Instead of signing the Brazilian, the Reds might hire a cheaper player and then let Doak work his way into the starting lineup.
Despite the difficulty of replacing Salah, the young Scot may not be long before he is ready to play a regular role for the first team. If Slot gives him a chance to show what he can do, Liverpool might have a potential replacement for Salah on their hands.
