Liverpool already has a Mohamed Salah replacement - but it creates another transfer problem

A replacement for Mohamed Salah has become the priority for Liverpool fans now. The Reds already have one option ready to go, but it create a whole new transfer problem

Liverpool will need to find a way to replace Mohamed Salah this summer(Image: Getty Images)

How do you replace Mohamed Salah?

It’s the multi-million dollar question that will be facing FSG and Liverpool this summer after the Egyptian’s surprise announcement this week. Not to put too fine a point on it, it is the club’s biggest decision since naming Arne Slot as Jurgen Klopp’s successor.

Every man and their dog will likely give their opinion on who the best man for the job is. Just between club legend Steven Gerrard and ex-Manchester United star Owen Hargreaves earlier this week, five names were thrown into the hat, along with the simple criteria that whoever does replace Salah must be “box office”.

Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola and Yan Diomande are just some of the names to have been linked, and no doubt more will be added to the longlist as speculation ramps up over the next few months.

But how likely is it that Liverpool will find a proper replacement? One that will fill the same role as Salah from the right wing, scoring 30 goals a season and adding nearly as many assists in the process?

Let’s face it, finding another player like that is a long shot. And in any case, might Liverpool already have his replacement in the building?

Jeremie Frimpong could be used as a replacement for Mohamed Salah at Liverpool(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

We’ve seen Jeremie Frimpong fill in for the Egyptian on a few occasions this season. In fact, during Salah’s involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations, he was effectively the first-choice in that role.

"I always say to everyone that wherever I play, I play the same,” Frimpong said when asked about his favored position back in January. “Of course, if I play right-wing, I'm going to attack more. If I play right-back, I'm going to defend more. Right wing-back, you balance it.

"As long as I'm on the pitch, I'm going to give it my all and help my team. I trust my own abilities, I know what I can do.

"I love playing on the side. This is where I'm comfortable, this is where I can use my abilities, this is where the space is as well for me. This is what I like."

In a lot of ways, making Frimpong the long-term successor to Salah would make sense. He already plays mostly as a winger for the Netherlands, and there’s no doubt he would solve the lack of pace Liverpool has suffered from this season on the flanks.

Add to that the fact he is something of halfway house between a right-back and a right-winger, it would make sense to play to his strengths, which probably lie more in his attacking rather than his defending.

It might not be the solution fans are hoping for, but it would chime in with the direction this Liverpool team is being taken. Florian Wirtz was bought to be the new creative outlet for the Reds, while Alexander Isak was obviously brought in to be a goal machine, with help from Hugo Ekitike.

Last summer’s spending spree was the first sign that Liverpool was moving away from Salah being the main man, and so it has proved to be with his decision to move on this summer. With that in mind, Frimpong might already be seen as the man to step into the void.

Having Frimpong replace Salah would create another problem for Liverpool(Image: Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)

That would bring another major issue though. If Frimpong does move into that more advanced position, that leaves Liverpool needing another right-back.

Even if Joe Gomez stays, it would feel like an almighty risk leaving him and Conor Bradley as the only options there. Given their respective injury records, you wouldn’t bet against Frimpong having to move back fairly quickly, or even Dominik Szoboszlai having to fill in even more.

Liverpool can’t be going into another season with probably its most influential player at the moment shifted away from his best position, nor can it ignore replacing Salah.

Regardless of how they replace their Egyptian king, the Reds have no option but to strengthen down the right-hand side one way or another this summer.