Richard Hughes puts five forwards on post-Mo Salah shortlist

It looks like the Liverpool career of Mohamed Salah is coming to an abrupt end.

The Egyptian King, 33, agreed a new two-year contract towards the back end of last season - worth a mammoth £400k per week.

But he’s not been at his best this season - with no Premier League goals scored since November and Arne Slot losing faith in the all-time great.

A spell on the bench preceded a high-profile falling-out between the pair ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations although the winger has been since welcomed back into the fold.

But it’s overwhelmingly likely that Richard Hughes entertains bids for Salah this summer - with teams in the Saudi Pro League still keen on his signing.

Al-Ittihad and Al-Qadsiah are expected to fight it out for Salah - and that brings into question who might replace the two-time African footballer of the year in the lineup.

Liverpool's post-Salah plans

If Salah leaves don’t expect Federico Chiesa to be given his starting place as the Italian is also wanted for a summer transfer.

Instead it looks like Liverpool will be going back into the market - with Sport in France now publishing what they claim is the club’s five-man shortlist to replace Salah.

Top of the list is Michael Olise - the Bayern Munich forward who has been in sensational form since moving to the Bundesliga in 2024.

The France international is under contract until 2029 - and could cost up to £175m in any outgoing transfer.

Olise tops Liverpool wishlist

There is a “Plan B” meanwhile if Liverpool recruiters cannot get a deal over the line for Olise. The other names on the list are Yan Diomande, Nico Williams, Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola.

Diomande, 19, plays for RB Leipzig and by this stage is well-established as a Liverpool target. Williams - having signed a blockbuster new contract with Athletic Club - has endured a stop-start season but still comes with bags of match-winning quality.

And then there’s the Paris Saint-Germain duo Doue and Barcola.

Doue has been on the Liverpool radar since his days at Rennes and is still hugely admired inside Anfield. He has made only nine Ligue 1 starts this season amid some hamstring trouble and remains under contract until 2029.

Barcola might be a more achievable target - given his reported desire for more game time. The France international has started less than half the matches in the French top flight - and he is under contract until 2028.

🔴 Shop the LFC 2025/26 adidas home range

👉🏻 Liverpool get GREEN light to sign Nico Schlotterbeck

👉🏻 Centre-back confirms he's ready to join Liverpool

👉🏻 Fabrizio Romano CONFIRMS belief £52m Liverpool target will agree move