Liverpool Prepare for Life After Salah as Semenyo Emerges on Succession Radar
The future of Mohamed Salah at Liverpool has rarely felt so uncertain. According to Anfield Watch, the reaction to the Egyptian’s recent interview at Leeds has intensified belief inside and outside the club that his time at Anfield is nearing its conclusion. Despite being under contract until 2027, “it looks certain that Salah will be leaving the Premier League champions before his contract expires”.
That sense of finality matters. Salah’s influence on Liverpool’s modern history is profound, and replacing him requires more than simply signing a winger. With the forward now away at the Africa Cup of Nations, attention turns to Liverpool’s sporting director, with “Richard Hughes expected to find a solution before the end of the international showpiece event”.
Potential destinations for Salah are already being framed. Saudi Arabia remains a strong option, while San Diego FC in MLS are also mentioned as a possible next chapter. Wherever Salah goes, Liverpool’s hierarchy face a defining decision, one that could shape Arne Slot’s second title defence and beyond.
Semenyo profile fits Slot vision
Anfield Watch suggest that Liverpool’s search for a successor is already taking shape. Links to Michael Olise and Yan Diomande have circulated, but the report argues that “perhaps the best fit right now would be Antoine Semenyo”. The Bournemouth attacker has developed rapidly since arriving from Bristol City, and his profile aligns neatly with Slot’s demands for intensity, flexibility, and direct running.
Semenyo’s situation is clear. “The 25-year-old Bournemouth attacker will have a £65m release clause activated in the January transfer window.” That clause brings urgency and competition, particularly given the calibre of clubs circling. As Anfield Watch state, “Liverpool are expected to be in the chase for the Ghana international’s signature with the versatile forward contracted to the Cherries until 2030.”
There is no suggestion this will be straightforward. A report cited by Anfield Watch adds that “while Manchester City are currently positioned as frontrunners Liverpool are prepared to match their interest every step of the way.” Tottenham also remain relevant, having “came close to agreeing a deal for Semenyo last summer”.
Bournemouth moves signal acceptance of change
Perhaps the strongest indication that a transfer is realistic comes from Bournemouth themselves. Anfield Watch highlight that the South Coast club are already planning for life after Semenyo. “And now there are solid indications that Bournemouth are stepping up preparations for Semenyo’s departure.”
The mechanism is already being explored. “The South Coast club will make a move for Sporting CP’s Geovany Quenda who will join Chelsea in summer 2026.” The pathway is clear, with the teenager potentially loaned out immediately. As the report explains, “The Cherries are eyeing replacements like Sporting’s Geovany Quenda, who will join Chelsea in the summer but could be loaned straight out.”
That forward planning reflects Bournemouth’s acceptance that Semenyo may be lost to a bigger stage. His rise has been steep since Bournemouth paid “around £10m for Semenyo in 2023 when he left Bristol City”. Crucially for Liverpool, that deal was overseen by Richard Hughes, now tasked with reshaping Anfield’s attack.
Salah succession becomes defining test
The language used around Semenyo is telling. “Arne Slot envisions Semenyo as Mohamed Salah’s long-term heir,” the report reads, before adding, “The Egyptian icon might be on the way out of Anfield sooner than anyone had anticipated just a few weeks ago.”
That framing speaks to urgency rather than long term theory. Liverpool are not simply planning for an eventual decline, they are bracing for an imminent transition. Slot’s first season delivered the Premier League title, but sustaining that success requires evolution without losing edge.
Semenyo would not arrive as a like for like replacement in style or stature, but Liverpool have rarely replaced icons directly. Instead, they reconfigure. The coming weeks, particularly while Salah remains away on international duty, may define how bold Liverpool are prepared to be.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
For Liverpool supporters, Salah leaving, particularly before his contract expires, feels like the end of an era rather than a routine transfer. Fans understand cycles, but the timing, especially after a title winning season, sharpens the emotional edge.
Semenyo is an intriguing name rather than an obvious one. There will be supporters who question whether a £65m release clause represents value, yet many will also recognise the logic. He fits the age profile, knows the league, presses aggressively, and crucially offers versatility across the front line. Under Slot, those traits matter more than reputation alone.
There is also trust in Richard Hughes. His role in bringing Semenyo to Bournemouth adds confidence that this is not a scattergun link. If Hughes believes the winger can scale up again, many fans will follow that judgement.
What supporters will want above all is clarity. If Salah’s departure is inevitable, decisive action matters. Drifting would feel worse than change. Semenyo may not be the Egyptian King, but Liverpool have thrived before by backing the next phase rather than clinging to the last.
