Danny Murphy acknowledges that Liverpool would be ‘weakened’ by Mo Salah’s departure to Saudi Arabia but expresses confidence in Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota stepping up for the Premier League powerhouse.
According to reports emerging from Spain, Liverpool has inquired about the availability of Barcelona’s Ansu Fati and Abde Ezalzouli, as Al-Ittihad continues to pursue a Premier League great. However, if Mo Salah, like Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, is tempted by the substantial funds offered in Saudi Arabia, one former Anfield favorite believes Jurgen Klopp may look closer to home to fill the considerable void left by Salah.
Liverpool’s star, Mo Salah, is facing the allure of Saudi Arabia’s riches. “If Salah departs, Liverpool would undoubtedly be weaker,” says Danny Murphy, a former FA Cup, League Cup, and UEFA Cup winner under Gerard Houlier in 2001, in an interview with talkSPORT on August 30th. “They would lose the reliability he provides, even when he’s not at his best. He consistently delivers, scoring 25 or more goals. He’s an incredible footballer.”
Murphy believes that if Cody Gakpo or Diogo Jota were to step in on the right-hand side in Salah’s absence, their performance levels would likely rise. He argues that, similar to what Jordan Henderson did when Steven Gerrard left, these players would flourish with more playing time and space—a larger platform, so to speak.
“So, I think Liverpool would manage fine,” Murphy continues. “But without Salah’s big-game moments, competing for the league would be a challenge. They could still contend for a top-four spot, but it would be more challenging.”
.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
Jota, despite concerns about his link-up play and technical abilities, remains a reliable source of goals, even when not guaranteed a starting role under Klopp.
As for Gakpo, he has shown promise in spurts since joining Liverpool in a £37 million deal from PSV Eindhoven. However, he would likely benefit from returning to his preferred wide role, as he has struggled to make a significant impact from a deeper position recently.
