(Photo credit: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar / Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
As speculation intensifies over Mohamed Salah’s future at Liverpool, following his recent spat with Arne Slott and looming interest from the Saudi Professional League, former Reds striker Emile Heskey weighs in on the impossible task of filling in for the Egyptian King.
In an interview with OLBG (quoted by the Mirror), Heskey named three players who could replace Salah if the legendary number 11 leaves Anfield this summer.
Candidates to replace Mohamed Salah at Heskey: Kvaratschelia, Bowen, Pulisic
Heskey was quick to admit that there is no direct replacement for Salah, but highlighted Hviča Kvaratschelia as his main target.
The Georgia international, who made a high-profile move from Napoli and is currently at PSG, is Heskey’s ‘go-to’ choice due to his talent and game-changing ability.
“We’re talking about replacing Mohamed Salah, but as a fan I think we should look at something else because you can’t replace Mo Salah. I remember one season I was talking to someone who said Mo had a bad season. He had 25 goals! I didn’t want to have a bad season like that.”
“We are talking about a player who has scored more than 20, almost 30 goals a season for 10 years. I don’t think you can replace Mo Salah, but I like the PSG player Hviča Kvaratskhelia. He will be my go-to.”
However, the former England international also believes he is closer to home and has suggested West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen as a tactical replacement.
“Will Jarrod Bowen be a downgrade from Mohamed Salah? I think most players would be a downgrade…But Bowen is a different type of player and will probably help the formation because he’s going to work a little harder than Mo,” Heskey added.
The last name on the list was former Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic. Pulisic’s candor, currently reinvigorated in Italy, reminds Heskey of Salah’s own career path.
He suggested that Pulisic could prove his critics wrong by returning to the Premier League, just as Salah did after leaving Chelsea for Serie A and returning to England.
“I actually like Christian Pulisic a lot. He’s very direct. At Chelsea, I probably didn’t score as many goals as I would have liked, but I think he gave the defense problems.”
“He is definitely a player who can offer something different to Mohamed Salah or Kodi Gakpo, as he is feeling the pressure at home after a good World Cup.
“Mo left Chelsea to go to Italy and see what he did for Liverpool. I think it’s great to see a player like Pulisic come back to the Premier League the same way. Maybe he wants to show that his time at Chelsea was just a blip. He was still a youngster when he came here.”
| player | club | the goal | assist | G+A | Play time (minutes) |
| mohamed salah | liverpool | 4 | 6 | 10 | 1,614 |
| Christian Pulisic | ac milan | 8 | 2 | 10 | 962 |
| Jarrod Bowen | west ham | 8 | 3 | 11 | 2,328 |
| K. Kuvaratskheria | P.S.G. | 4 | 3 | 7 | 953 |
It will be impossible to replace Salah’s outrageous numbers
Salah’s consistency is virtually unparalleled. Replacing a player who averaged nearly 30 goals a season for 10 years is nearly impossible.
Since singing for Liverpool, Salah has broken almost every record and performed consistently every season for nine years.
He recorded double-digit goals and assists in each season, amassing 252 goals and 121 assists in 429 competitive games.
This has been his worst season in a Liverpool shirt, with him scoring seven goals and providing eight assists in all competitions so far.
Even in the offseason, the Egyptian King is expected to exceed double-digit goal contributions.
It would be impossible for the club to replace a player who has put up incredible numbers over the years.
