Liverpool have identified Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon as a player they would like to sign to replace Mohamed Salah at Anfield, according to reports.
The Reds have had a perfect start to the season, winning five of their five Premier League games, but have struggled in recent weeks, dropping from first to seventh in the table.
Arsenal were five points behind Liverpool four games ago, but the Reds have since lost all four games and are now seven points behind Arne Slott’s side.
Liverpool lost 3-2 to Brentford on Saturday thanks to Salah’s second goal, with Slott’s side suffering their fifth defeat in their last six games in all competitions.
Salah has started nine Premier League games, contributing three goals and two assists, and like many of his teammates, the Egyptian has been underwhelming this term.
After being benched by Slott in midweek’s Champions League game against Eintracht Frankfurt, Daily Mail reporter Lewis Steele said Salah “looked nervous” and went straight down the tunnel at full time.
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Another report last week claimed that Liverpool had decided to “accept an offer for Salah” in the summer transfer window after his performance this season.
It is claimed that Liverpool have “no intention of signing Salah” in the winter, although there were “whispers that he could end his spell at Anfield sooner than originally thought, as early as January”.
The newspaper added: “Sources say Salah himself is likely to have the biggest say in Liverpool’s future, given his position at Anfield.” The winger has so much faith in the Reds that he can effectively decide how long he stays at the club.
“Towards the end of last season, there was a lot of discussion about whether Salah would leave Liverpool before he finally signed a new contract. If he decides he wants to pursue a new challenge next summer, I don’t think Arne Slott’s team will stand in his way and make him stay.”
And now Spanish website Fichajes claims that Liverpool are keen to sign Gordon to the Reds as Salah’s successor and are “planning a move in January or next summer’s transfer window to ensure an orderly transition”.
Gordon is a “high-level option to strengthen the England side’s attack”, with “sources” in Spanish media claiming that “analysts and scouts from the Merseyside club recently returned to Tyneside to observe him in action”.
The newspaper added: “Liverpool are at a critical juncture. Mohamed Salah has been the team’s healer for several seasons, but his contract and future have been a source of speculation.” Meanwhile, the club’s board knows it cannot wait forever and is already considering alternatives. Anthony Gordon represents one of the most ambitious options to fill the space when Salah leaves the Merseyside elite.
“Gordon’s profile fits Liverpool’s philosophy of speed, balance and youth. However, replacing the Egyptian would be a high-risk and expensive deal, so Liverpool are working ahead of schedule to gain an advantage in the bidding process.”
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Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer believes Salah will get back to form sooner rather than later while the Liverpool forward is “going through a bad period”.
“I think the biggest situation that Arne Slott has to deal with is getting them back to winning ways in the league,” Shearer said.
“When you’re not playing well, like he (Salah) isn’t, he’s not scoring goals, Liverpool aren’t getting results, no matter how big you are, the manager has the right to take you out and if he takes you out of the team they can get really impressive performances and results and the manager has the determination.
“He’s going through a bad period. He’s a quality player. His time will come again, there’s no doubt about it.
“Good players don’t stay down for long. That’s how you get over it. I’m sure Salah will too. He’s too good to do that.”
