Jermaine Pennant has pitched Barcelona star Raphinha as a candidate to replace Mohamed Salah should he leave Liverpool at the end of the season.
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| Image: Raphinha celebrates his goal during the UEFA Champions League day 3 football match between FC Barcelona and FC Bayern Munich © Reach Publishing Services Limited |
The Egypt international, along with teammates Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk, is set to see his contract come to an end next summer as things stand. The Reds are keen to extend their talisman's stay but Salah admitted in September it could be his final season with the club.
Salah Rescues Liverpool
The 32-year-old forward is Liverpool's top scorer and assist-maker so far this term and has made 15 goal contributions in all. That is eight more than nearest teammate, Luis Diaz.
It would be a tall task to replace Salah, who has racked up 219 goals in his 362 appearances since arriving at Anfield. Few players could live up to the hole that the Liverpool legend will leave when he does depart.
Former Liverpool ace Pennant has offered a surprise suggestion to take on the mantle in the shape of ex-Leeds United star Raphinha. The Brazilian drew interest from Arsenal and Chelsea before departing Elland Road for Camp Nou.
Raphinha goalscoring credentials would appear not to match those of Salah. Despite netting 10 times already this term, his record of 30 goals in 101 appearances does not come too close of what the Egyptian provides.
Of course, Salah did not come close to his current rate before his £34.3million transfer to Liverpool. Few players match it full stop.
"If Mohamed Salah does leave, I can see Raphinha making a return to the Premier League in a Liverpool shirt to replace him," Pennant told Instant Casino. "He’s quick and fits that same style of play on the right-hand side and cutting in. He’s very tricky and that’s what Liverpool have now with Luis DÃaz and Salah.
"He’s got that eye for goal which we’ve seen from him at Barcelona where he’s doing really well – scoring hat-tricks against the likes of Bayern Munich and playing a big part in their recent 4-0 El Clásico win against Real Madrid.
"His experience at Leeds would make him a good fit at Liverpool – he’s comfortable in the Premier League and he managed to make an impact and score goals there despite them struggling as a team. You’d imagine that a team like Liverpool would step him up a level with how attacking they are and how comfortable they are going forward."
Speaking earlier this month, it appeared Liverpool boss Arne Slot was already getting tired of being asked for updates on Salah's future. "It's the same boring answer as always," he told reporters.
"I could really understand if you ask me this once every two weeks but if you ask me this after two or three days again then you still get the same answer and people feel that I'm boring them!"
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