Salah has been a central figure at Liverpool since arriving from AS Roma in 2017, establishing himself as one of the most prolific forwards in the club’s history. 

His output over eight seasons placed him among Liverpool’s modern greats, but this campaign has marked a noticeable shift.

What has changed for Salah this season

Now 33, Salah has not reached the same levels this season, with his Premier League return falling well below the standards he previously set.

Across 16 Premier League appearances, he has scored four goals, a sharp drop-off from the levels he sustained consistently across the previous eight seasons.

In the Champions League, he has added two goals in seven outings, bringing his total to six for the season in all competitions at this stage.

The contrast with his historical output is stark, with Salah having finished as Liverpool’s top scorer in each of the past eight seasons, often reaching 20 or more league goals and regularly carrying the team’s attacking burden.

Since joining Liverpool in 2017, Salah has scored 251 goals in 425 appearances across all competitions, a return that places him among the club’s all-time greats.

This season, however, Liverpool’s attacking focus has shifted towards summer signing Hugo Ekitike, who has emerged as the side’s leading scorer with 15 goals in all competitions.

Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant believes the change has been clear, saying: “The drop off in his performances is clear for everyone to see. It’s night and day compared to what we saw from him over the previous eight seasons.”

Speaking to BetSelect, Pennant said, “There comes a point for every player where you slowly start to decline, and that is happening to him now. This could easily be his last season at the club.”

At 33, the shift is not unexpected, with Salah having played close to 4,000 minutes per season for much of his Liverpool career across domestic and European competitions.

The physical demands of that workload, combined with the tactical reset under Arne Slot, have contributed to a season that feels transitional rather than terminal.

Salah still has 17 months remaining on his current Liverpool contract, and his long-term future remains unresolved.

Interest in the Saudi Pro League continues to hover in the background, even if the numbers do not yet indicate an abrupt decline.

Who Liverpool could look to next

Pennant believes Liverpool may soon need to identify a long-term successor if Salah leaves.

“If a Saudi Pro League club is willing to pay a good fee for him, Liverpool will take it and reinvest in the squad,” Pennant said.

“If they let Salah go, Liverpool needs to bring in a proper replacement.”

Pennant has pointed to Michael Olise as a player Liverpool should target and said, “I’d personally love to see them sign Michael Olise from Bayern Munich.”

Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images

Olise, who previously impressed at Crystal Palace, joined Bayern Munich in 2024 and has since established himself as a regular contributor in the Bundesliga.

Since arriving in Germany, Olise has scored 33 goals in 87 appearances across all competitions, aligning with the profile Liverpool may prioritise if they begin shaping a post-Salah attacking structure.

How to watch the Premier League in Canada

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