Liverpool icon John Barnes weighs in on the “daring” claims to replace the winger, making his displeasure clear over the current succession plan.
The dust has yet to settle after Salah announced his decision to put an end to his illustrious Liverpool career at the end of the season last week.
He followed in the footsteps of Jurgen Klopp, pulling a chair to sit down and tell the fans about his imminent departure with a decent chunk of the season still left to play.
Fans knew it would not be long before the Egypt international called it quits on his spell at Anfield, but the sudden nature of the announcement and the fact that he still had another year remaining on his deal caused surprise.
It appears Salah has reached an agreement with the Reds hierarchy to tear up his contract without further losses for the club.
Barnes criticises Salah after announcement
The announcement has set the stage for fans to prepare for what is to come and give the 33-year-old a proper send-off.
However, Barnes is not a fan of the timing of the statement, as he thinks it might be a distraction for Liverpool amid their attempt to end the season strongly.
Arne Slot’s side have had a disappointing campaign so far and are increasingly destined to lose their title to Arsenal, with any hopes of success now resting on the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup.
The Merseyside outfit are also focused on securing a top-five finish in the Premier League and earning their place in the Champions League next term.
Barnes fears Salah announcing his departure ahead of what is set to be a crucial part of the season could hurt Liverpool.
He stated, “I don’t think it was a good time for him. I think we should have really got it at the end of the season and then he left, rather than announcing it now, because I don’t think that necessarily helps.
“It doesn’t help Liverpool. Liverpool aren’t doing particularly well, so that is a negative. Does that help the manager, Slot, in terms of the fans loving him when Salah’s not playing? He wants to go, but that’s not really going to help.”
Barnes has daring idea to replace Salah at Liverpool
When Salah made his announcement video, he did so against the backdrop of a trophy cabinet that highlighted his achievements over the last nine years – both as a team and an individual.
If anything, it was proof that Liverpool should restrain the temptation to find a like-for-like replacement for the legendary winger.
Barnes, too, is of the same view, claiming that offering a lucrative contract to another attacker is certainly not the solution for the Anfield outfit.
He pointed out that Slot’s side have been let down by issues in defence and midfield this season and believes the hierarchy should focus on strengthening those areas instead.
The former Anfield hero added: “In terms of replacements, if you look at what we have, our problem is going forward and scoring goals. I mean, if we look at Wirtz, Ekitike and Isak, we’ve got Ngumoha, we’ve still got Gakpo.
“I don’t feel that we necessarily have to replace him, because I don’t think that the solution is to go and get another player and give him £400,000 a week to replace Mo Salah. We have enough strikers, we have enough attackers.
“Our problem is in midfield and defence, that’s really what we have to do. So I don’t think we have to go and replace him necessarily.”
While Barnes is not wrong about Liverpool’s issues in defence and midfield, it would be silly of the club not to strengthen the attack this summer, especially in the wake of Salah’s departure.
With Cody Gakpo also leaving a lot to be desired, it is evident that Slot’s side are in desperate need of additional firepower in the wings next season.
Many have tipped Michael Olise as an ideal replacement for Salah, but Bayern Munich are adamant he is not for sale.
Therefore, the Reds are likely to focus their attention on RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and the like.
