Perfect Liverpool replacement for Mane and Salah named

Robin Bairner

• 20 Dec 2021 17:09 CST
• 3 min read

Liverpool face a potential crisis during January, when they will lose forwards Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Although Roberto Firmino is fit again, the Reds are short offensively, with manager Jurgen Klopp apparently unwilling to bet upon Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi on a regular basis.

With Salah’s contract winding down and apparently little progress having been made on a new deal, there is further reason to go into the transfer market in January.

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Jose Enrique, who turned out for the Reds between 2011 and 2016, believes that the Anfield club can do better than signing Leeds star Raphinha, suggesting that a player at one of his former teams would represent a better option.

“Raphinha’s a great player, I’d definitely have him at Liverpool. He would adapt to the style of Liverpool very well,” he told Talksport.

“He’s doing very well at Leeds and I think he can get better at Liverpool. It’s easier at a bigger team because you have better players around you.

“But the problem with English clubs is they don’t sell cheap and taking one of Leeds’ best players during the season is going to be difficult.

“One player I’ve mentioned is Alexander Isak, the Real Sociedad striker. I love him. He’s one of the best projects in Spain at the moment and he’s someone who could play in Liverpool‘s front three, either on the left or down the middle.

“He’s a strong player who maybe they could buy for £50-60 million. Liverpool tend not to pay £100m for players unless they get that money from selling a player.”

Enrique, though, is doubtful that any business will be done, whether for Sweden international Isak or the Brazil ace at Leeds.

“Hopefully Liverpool can buy one player in January who can play across the front three, but I don’t think they will,” he said.

Liverpool have Premier League matches against Chelsea, Brentford and Crystal Palace scheduled for January, plus an FA Cup meeting with Shrewsbury.