Liverpool fans may soon have to get used to watching their side without Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, even if the sight of the deadly duo driving at terrified opposing full-backs before cutting inside and finding the far corner is ingrained in their minds.
The two African stars are yet to extend their contracts that expire at in the summer of 2023. Negotiations with Salah have reportedly stalled in recent weeks, injecting further anxiety into the Reds’ fanbase.
But Jurgen Klopp decided to thrust what is regarded as the worst nightmare of some Liverpool supporters into their direct line of sight as he opted to leave Mane and Salah at home for their trip to Nottingham Forest. And Diogo Jota’s late goal, that sent the Reds into an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City, suggests life without Salah and Mane may not be too bad.
Jota’s winning strike against Steve Cooper’s side was his 19th in 39 appearances in all competitions. It was also one of his most important of the current campaign as it keeps the Reds on course for an ambitious quadruple. Their breathtaking ambush on City in the Premier League means anything is possible for Klopp and his side.
Their taste for trophies has ignited a relentless thirst that can only be quenched by more silverware. If the Reds keep going at their current rate, then the League Cup triumph over Chelsea could soon be rendered a mere aperitif.
But this attack on four fronts has not been fuelled by the brilliance of Mane and Salah alone. Summer signing Luis Diaz has brought new energy, new ideas and further competition for places in Klopp’s starting eleven.
Do you think Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota would be worthy replacements for Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane? Let us know in the comments
Mane, Salah, and Roberto Firmino, whose contract also expires in the summer of 2023, could, if they have not already, realise there may not be enough room for all three of them at Anfield as well as Jota, Diaz, and Takumi Minamino.
"Mo expects this club to be ambitious," Klopp said during a press conference on 10 March when asked about the lack of progress in Salah’s contract talks. "We cannot do much more. It is Mo's decision.
"It is all fine from my point of view. Nothing happened further, no signing or rejection. We just have to wait, there's no rush."
There has also been very little progress on the current status of Liverpool’s negotiations with Mane. The former Southampton ace has contributed 14 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions.
Bit Diaz’s January arrival alongside Klopp’s propensity to deploy Jota on the left wing suggests the Senegalese ace’s potential exit has already been compensated for. Jota and Diaz are both fine players who have quickly adapted to Klopp’s demands and playing style.
If contract talks between Mane and Salah continue to stall and falter, then Liverpool look like they have two ready-made replacements ready to fill the voids they will leave. While everybody affiliated with the Anfield club will not want to see the two wing wizards depart Anfield, they would at least be safe in the knowledge that opposition full-backs still have sleepless nights over the prospect of facing Liverpool forwards.
