Liverpool Doesn’t Need to Rush to Find a Replacement for Mo Salah

Liverpool decided against signing a direct replacement for Mohamed Salah during the summer 2026 transfer window, despite making significant investments to strengthen their squad. Rather than bringing in a natural right winger to occupy the position previously held by Salah, the Reds chose to work with the attacking options already available to them.

Bradley Barcola became Liverpool’s most expensive signing of the summer after arriving from Paris Saint-Germain for a reported £123 million. The Reds also added further attacking depth through Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz.

The problem for Liverpool, however, is that none of the four arrivals are natural right wingers in the mould of Salah. Barcola, Gakpo, Ngumoha and Munoz are all more accustomed to operating from the left, leaving head coach Andoni Iraola with the task of finding a solution within his existing squad.

Liverpool had previously explored alternatives more naturally suited to the position. Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr were reportedly among the players considered because of their experience playing predominantly on the right.

However, negotiations with both clubs failed to produce an agreement. Liverpool subsequently chose not to rush into another major financial commitment simply to fill a specific position, with the club instead expected to reassess the situation during the January transfer window.

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes that approach is understandable, particularly given the flexibility already available within the squad. He also suggested that the Reds may have recognised there was little value in overpaying for a player simply because the position had become a priority.

“I think there were a lot of rumours about Minteh and Sarr, both of whom tend to play more on the right. So I’m sure Liverpool were aware that there was a need there,” Murphy told Goal.

“But as a club, there is something to be said for not buying a player just for the sake of filling a position. Liverpool already have talented and intelligent players who can play there.”

Murphy pointed to Barcola as one potential solution, noting that the Frenchman has experience operating from the right despite being more familiar with the opposite flank. He also believes Gakpo possesses the tactical intelligence required to adapt to the role.

“I’ve seen Barcola play on the right, while Gakpo is intelligent enough to play there as well. He can score goals from that position,” Murphy added.

The former midfielder also highlighted Gakpo’s previous contribution when deployed on the right. According to Murphy, the Dutch international has already demonstrated that he can make an impact away from his preferred position.

“He even provided a very good assist from that side against Forest. So when Liverpool failed to get Sarr or Minteh, perhaps they looked at the players they already had and thought, ‘Let’s not rush into signing someone who isn’t completely right for what we need,’” he said.

Murphy believes Liverpool must also remain disciplined in the transfer market and avoid allowing positional needs to dictate excessive spending. In his view, the club should not surrender its negotiating position simply because it has a perceived gap in the squad.

“You cannot allow yourself to be forced into paying too much just because you badly need a player. Liverpool should not pay above a reasonable price simply because they are in a position where they need someone,” Murphy explained.

Murphy acknowledged that, in an ideal scenario, Liverpool would have a more conventional right winger available to replace the specific qualities previously provided by Salah. Nevertheless, he feels the current squad offers enough versatility to cope in the short term.

“In an ideal world, of course we would want a more conventional player on the right. I agree with that. But for now, I think they still have enough options,” Murphy said.

“Munoz has shown some positive signs in that position, Gakpo can play there, and Barcola can do it as well. I think they still have enough options.”

With Liverpool choosing flexibility over an immediate like-for-like replacement, the coming months will provide a clearer indication of whether the existing squad can adequately cover Salah’s former role. The club is expected to continue monitoring the market, with the January window potentially providing another opportunity to strengthen the right flank.