Mohamed Salah will leave Liverpool at the end of this season. That much appears settled. What isn't settled — not by a long stretch — is who replaces him, how Liverpool fund the rebuild, and whether Arne Slot can reshape the squad's attack without losing the sharpness that made them title contenders. The answers to those questions will define the next chapter at Anfield.
It has been a remarkable run. Since joining from Roma in 2017, Salah has broken records, won titles, and become one of the most productive players in Premier League history. His goalscoring numbers are genuinely staggering. But contracts end, players age, and clubs have to make hard decisions. Liverpool, under Arne Slot's first full season in charge, are now facing the biggest personnel decision of the summer: how do you replace someone who has been producing 25-plus goals a season for nearly a decade?
Slot Confirms the Sell-to-Buy Approach
Arne Slot has been characteristically measured in public about the summer plans, but he has confirmed what most observers already suspected: Liverpool will largely operate on a sell-to-buy basis. The club won't panic-spend just because Salah is leaving, and they won't break their transfer model to chase a like-for-like replacement at any cost. This is a deliberate approach from a club that has consistently avoided overpaying for players — and it makes sense, even if it creates short-term anxiety among supporters.
The financial constraints mean the targets being linked with Anfield are a mix of free agents, value signings, and realistic upgrades rather than world-record deals. That doesn't mean the quality won't be there — Liverpool's recruitment has been excellent for years — but it does mean the summer will require patience.
The Names in the Frame
Reports have linked Liverpool with Marcos Senesi on a free transfer this summer, adding defensive depth and quality at relatively low cost. On the attacking side, the search for Salah's successor has opened up multiple conversations across Europe. No single name has emerged as the clear frontrunner, which itself tells a story — there isn't an obvious Salah replacement because players of his consistency simply don't come up for sale very often.
Elsewhere in this summer's reported activity, Manchester City are believed to be tracking Elliot Anderson as they look to reshape their midfield options. Anderson has had another strong season and City's interest reflects the growing recognition that he's one of the better young midfielders in English football. Meanwhile, Barcelona's reported interest in Bernardo Silva adds an intriguing subplot — if Silva leaves City, it could trigger movement across several clubs' transfer plans.
Man United Moving for Hjulmand
Manchester United appear to have moved ahead of the competition for Morten Hjulmand, the Sporting CP midfielder who has attracted attention from clubs across the Premier League. Hjulmand is exactly the kind of player United have needed for some time — physically dominant, technically sound, and capable of shielding the defence effectively. If United can get that deal over the line, it would represent genuine progress in their rebuild.
What Liverpool Actually Need
For Liverpool specifically, the summer shopping list is more nuanced than simply finding a new right winger. The depth of what Salah provided — goals, assists, pressing intensity, aerial threats, set-piece danger — means no single signing will fill the void. Slot will likely look to distribute that output across multiple players rather than replace Salah with one marquee name.
The Senesi free transfer makes sense as part of a broader squad strengthening. What happens higher up the pitch is the bigger question. Liverpool's attacking options beyond Salah — Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez — are all capable players, but none have consistently produced at Salah's level. The summer is the moment to address that gap with real intent.
Salah's farewell, whenever it comes officially, will be a significant moment for English football. His departure opens a chapter Liverpool haven't had to face in a long time. What they do next will be worth watching very closely.
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