Mohamed Salah's eventual departure from Liverpool isn't a matter of if, but when. He’s 31, his contract runs until 2025, and the Saudi Pro League isn't going anywhere. The club has to be thinking about who steps into those massive shoes. Craig Burley recently tossed out names like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Michael Olise, and honestly, it’s a good starting point for a conversation Liverpool’s brass is undoubtedly having.
Salah's numbers speak for themselves. Since joining in 2017, he's bagged 211 goals in 349 appearances. He hit 32 Premier League goals in his debut season, a record for a 38-game campaign. Replacing that kind of consistent output is the hardest job in football, especially for a club that prides itself on smart recruitment.
Kvaratskhelia, or "Kvaradona" as some call him, exploded onto the scene with Napoli. Last season, he scored 12 goals and provided 10 assists in Serie A, leading them to a Scudetto. He’s a left-winger, though, naturally cutting in on his right foot. That’s a key difference from Salah, who primarily operates on the right. He's got that explosive dribbling, the ability to beat a man and create something out of nothing. We saw it against Liverpool in the Champions League, where he was a constant menace. He completed 2.6 successful dribbles per 90 minutes in the Champions League last season, a higher rate than Salah's 1.7.
The question with Kvaratskhelia is twofold: can he adapt to the Premier League's physicality, and can he transition to the right wing? He’s only 23, so there's plenty of room for growth. Napoli reportedly values him north of £80 million, a significant outlay. But Liverpool has spent big before, like the £75 million for Virgil van Dijk in 2018, and it paid off handsomely.
Then there's Michael Olise. He’s already in the Premier League, plying his trade for Crystal Palace. At 22, he's younger than Kvaratskhelia and offers a different profile. He's a right-winger by trade, exactly where Salah plays. Last season, Olise recorded 11 assists in the Premier League, a remarkable feat for a player in a mid-table side. He also scored two goals, including a stunning free-kick against Manchester United. His delivery from wide areas is exceptional, and he's got a wand of a left foot.
Olise's injury record is a slight concern; he missed significant time last season with a hamstring issue. But when he's fit, he's electrifying. He created 13 big chances in the league last season, more than any other Palace player. He signed a new deal with Palace last summer, so prying him away wouldn't be cheap, likely in the £60-70 million range. Here's the thing: while Olise is good, he’s not *Salah good* yet. He doesn't have the same clinical finishing or the relentless goal threat. My hot take? He's a safer bet for a seamless tactical fit, but Kvaratskhelia has a higher ceiling for superstardom.
Arne Slot's arrival as head coach adds another layer to this discussion. His Feyenoord teams often played with inverted wingers, and a right-footed player on the left (like Kvaratskhelia) and a left-footed player on the right (like Olise) could certainly fit his system. Slot's teams also press aggressively, and both players possess the work rate to contribute defensively. Liverpool isn't just buying a player; they're buying a piece of Slot's puzzle.
Look, Liverpool won't find another Salah. That kind of consistent, record-breaking output is rare. They need to find someone who can contribute goals and assists, fit the system, and grow into being a talisman. Between the two, I think Olise is the more realistic target due to his Premier League experience and natural position. But if Liverpool wants to swing for the fences, Kvaratskhelia offers that higher, game-changing potential. My prediction? Liverpool signs Olise this summer, and he bags 10 goals and 12 assists in his first season.