Liverpool They have been riding the crest of a wave this season, but fans fear it will all come crashing down at some point.
While it is important in football not to look too far into the future, Anfield fans know this Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander Arnold and Mohamed Salah He could sign a pre-contract agreement with a club from abroad at any moment.
while FSG Be optimistic in the face of a stunning predicament, as losing any of these players would be a devastating blow.
Salah, for example, is one of the greatest strikers Merseyside has ever seen. He scored 22 goals and made 17 assists So far this season. The confidence of Saudi suitors is increasingAnd Liverpool began to look at the plan for success.
Liverpool is looking for a replacement for Salah in Spain
According to Spanish reportsLiverpool are growing increasingly confident in signing Takefusa Kubo at the end of the season as Slott begins to prepare for a potential future without Salah at the club.
Kubo has a €60m (£51m) release clause in his contract, but according to the report, Liverpool are willing to offer €50m (£42m) plus Federico Chiesa – an offer they believe will be accepted.
While sporting director Richard Hughes will continue to push for the Egyptian king to be linked with a big new deal at Liverpool, time appears to be running out for a harmonious outcome, and Kubo could be the solution to the problem.
Why could Takefusa Kubo replace Mohamed Salah?
Kubo is only 23 years old, but he has emerged as a major player on the Spanish scene over the past few years. Scoring 38 goals He played 112 matches with Real Sociedad.
According to FBrefThe fast-moving winger ranks in the top 2% of his positional peers in La Liga this season in terms of progressive carries, the top 1% in terms of successful passes and the top 9% in terms of shot creation movements per 90.
A successful strike is scored when a player beats his opponent by carrying the ball directly behind him while maintaining possession.
The Japan international will bring more quick athleticism to Slot's side than the 32-year-old Salah, who is one of the most powerful attacking forces in world football but is less mobile than he was before.
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2024/25: Takefusa Kubo vs. Mohamed Salah |
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|---|---|---|
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Match statistics* |
||
|
Matches (start) |
20 (14) |
21 (21) |
|
Objectives |
4 |
18 |
|
Helps |
0 |
13 |
|
Captured footage* |
1.4 (.) |
4.0 (2.0) |
|
Great opportunities were missed |
0 |
14 |
|
Complete the pass |
77% |
73% |
|
It created great opportunities |
3 |
17 |
|
Key passes* |
1.2 |
2.3 |
|
recover the ball* |
3.2 |
2.5 |
|
Interventions + Interceptions* |
1.4 |
0.7 |
|
Quirks* |
1.9 |
1.6 |
|
Total duels (won)* |
4.8 (49%) |
3.4 (43%) |
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Statistics via Sofascore (* = per game) |
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No winger in Europe (except perhaps Barcelona's Rafinha) can hold a candle to Salah this season, and there is no doubt that Kubo has a lot to work on before he performs to a satisfactory level for a team like Liverpool, but the ingredients for success are there.
He's a combative and creative player, sure, but perhaps what's most curious is that Kubo hasn't missed a single big shot in La Liga this season, suggesting that while his ability to strike the ball is good, he's not getting into enough positions to score goals.
Spain-based journalist Kian Sobhani He echoed this argument, saying last year: “Kubo has been dusting off defenders this season and has been a relentless attacking threat. Always on the attack.”
In Liverpool's system, this can be improved, especially when he is taught how to apply some of Salah's tricks to his skill set, which Liverpool's coaches will no doubt be able to implement into his game.
The left-footer needs to sharpen his sharpness in front of goal, but there is no doubt about his quality. With a complete skill set and ferocious energy, Kubo could be the perfect heir to Salah.
Look, it would be foolish for Liverpool to try to replace Salah with a winger who looks strikingly similar to him, but they won't live up to the level. Instead, Kubo could add his own flair to the role, making it his own.
