Mo Salah. (Getty)
Mohamed Salah has officially played his final game for Liverpool, bringing an emotional end to one of the greatest individual eras in the club’s modern history.
The Egyptian forward, alongside fellow departing veteran Andy Robertson, was honoured throughout Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Brentford at Anfield. Fans paid tribute before, during and after the match, while the squad formed a guard of honour at full-time as club legends Sir Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush embraced the pair on the pitch.
Salah was visibly emotional as he bid farewell to supporters, with the two-time Premier League winner now widely expected to complete a move to the Saudi Pro League.
Replacing Liverpool’s all-time Premier League top scorer will be no simple task, but the Reds already appear to have identified the player they want to lead the next generation.
Liverpool Identify Top Target to Replace Salah
According to The Telegraph, Liverpool have made RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande one of their leading targets as they search for a long-term successor to Salah on the right flank.
The 19-year-old Ivory Coast international, previously described as “sensational” by former academy side DME Academy, has rapidly emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting young attackers and is set to represent his country at this summer’s World Cup.
Liverpool are understood to have tracked Diomande extensively throughout the season after his breakout campaign in Germany, where he recorded 13 goals and 10 assists in all competitions.
While nobody at Anfield expects a direct replacement for Salah, Diomande is viewed as a player with the pace, flair and attacking unpredictability to eventually develop into a star at the highest level.
RB Leipzig reportedly value the winger at around €100 million, although Liverpool’s strong relationship with the Bundesliga side following deals for Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konaté and Naby Keïta could potentially help negotiations. Player-plus-cash options are also believed to have been discussed internally.
Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon remains another name admired by Liverpool, but Diomande is increasingly seen as one of the club’s priority targets as they begin life after one of the greatest players in their history.
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