Liverpool already have Mo Salah replacement lined as star threatens to quit

He remained on the bench at Elland Road but dominated headlines by stating that he may have already played his last game for Liverpool.

Salah also revealed that his relationship with Arne Slot had completely broken down and claimed that he had been made a scapegoat for Liverpool’s problems.

As a result, there is a genuine chance he could exit the club when the window opens next month. Should that occur, the reigning Premier League champions would need to act swiftly to secure a replacement.

Fortunately, they have already been monitoring a strong candidate, with Antoine Semenyo reportedly emerging as a January target.

The winger has become one of the Premier League’s standout forwards during his spell at Bournemouth and is believed to have attracted significant interest, including from Liverpool.

He is believed to have a release clause of around £60million, which becomes active in January. Liverpool could therefore skip negotiations with Bournemouth by triggering the clause and proceeding directly to discussions with Semenyo and his camp.

It would be difficult for the Reds to find a more suitable winger mid-season, making a move for Semenyo a realistic option if Salah departs.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola recently emphasized that Semenyo remains focused despite speculation about his future, saying: “Antoine is giving us a lot. I think he’s being close to the goals or to the assist and he’s not also a number nine.

“He’s not someone who we are expecting him to score every game. He’s a winger that normally is a very good threat for us and I think he can continue giving us a lot of numbers but it’s not his main job.

“He has to do a lot of jobs for the team. I think he’s still being a threat. He’s trying to help us in every game and I haven’t seen any change in his attitude.”

Meanwhile, former England forward Darren Bent believes Liverpool would be acquiring their own version of Gareth Bale by signing Semenyo.

He told talkSPORT: “He’s one of those rare players and I call players like this unstoppable. Gareth Bale was like that. When I talk about unstoppable, I’m talking about their attributes.

“When Bale started to move, you just couldn’t stop him, and Semenyo is the same. Once he gets going, he’s going past people and he’s gliding. What’s good about him is that he can go both ways. I think he’s got the full package.

“For so long now, Liverpool have been able to depend on Salah on that right-hand side, season upon season, and don’t get me wrong, he’s been one of the best players we’ve ever seen in this country.

“But the signs are that he potentially maybe is slowing down a fraction. Now, all of a sudden, you have to start addressing both sides.”