Mohamed Salah has thrust his Liverpool future into doubt following his explosive comments after being dropped from the starting XI
Liverpool could sign a bargain Mohamed Salah replacement following reports that Antoine Semenyo will be available for £65million. The future of the Reds icon remains unclear after his incendiary comments following their 3-3 draw with Leeds United.
The Egyptian was an unused substitute at Elland Road after being named on the bench for a third successive match as Arne Slot’s side twice squandered their lead, including a two-goal advantage after Hugo Ekitike’s double. Despite not featuring, Salah spoke to reporters after the match in the mixed zone where he made explosive comments that have plunged his future under the microscope.
It comes days after reports of Saudi Arabian interest re-emerged. The Telegraph reported this week that there are funds available to bring the winger to the Saudi Pro League, if he is open to a Liverpool departure.
READ MORE: ‘A towering inferno’ – National media react to Mohamed Salah’s bombshell Liverpool interviewREAD MORE: Former Liverpool man shares blunt Mohamed Salah theory as ‘replacement’ claim emerges
Already, Liverpool are limited on their options in attacking areas despite an embarrassment of riches for the No.9 starting spot with Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike. However, there are few alternatives in wide areas with Cody Gakpo maintaining his place off the left despite a downturn in form while on the right side, Dominik Szoboszlai deputised for Salah.
Reports from Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg have suggested that Liverpool are interested in Semenyo, but it remains to be seen whether they will enter the market in January’s transfer window.
There is a battle to sign the 25-year-old Ghana international, with Manchester City, Man United and Tottenham Hotspur linked, and The Athletic reported last month that Semenyo has a £65million release clause which becomes available next month.
However, BBC Sport have added that it will only be active for the first two weeks of the transfer window. Liverpool are set to be without Salah until January due to his participation at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
However, whether he returns to Anfield for the remainder of the season remains unclear following his explosive comments, despite signing a new deal at the end of last season.
“I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season,” he said.
“Now I’m sitting on the bench, and I don’t know why.
“It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame.
“I got a lot of promises in the summer and so far, I am on the bench for three games so I can’t say they keep the promise.
“I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden, we don’t have any relationship.
“I don’t know why, but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn’t want me in the club.
“Yeah, there’s no relationship between us (him and Arne Slot). It was a very good relationship and now all of a sudden there is no relationship.”
