Liverpool information: Mo Salah ‘in switch talks’ as Arne Slot provides worrying harm replace

Liverpool could be set for another summer of transition with doubts growing over the future of Mohamed Salah as reports of a Saudi switch grow, while Arne Slot must handle another injury absentee

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Liverpool might be bracing themselves for another summer of transition, if speculation about Mo Salah proves accurate. The Reds endured a pre-season characterised by extravagant transfer activity.

Alexander Isak arrived as an eleventh-hour signing on deadline day, making the switch from Newcastle to Liverpool for an eye-watering £125 million. His arrival came after the capture of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for a hefty £116.5m. The club also splashed out £79m on Hugo Ekitike, £40m on Milos Kerkez, £29.5m on Jeremie Frimpong and £26m on Giovanni Leoni, bringing the total outlay to an astronomical £446m.

Whilst the prospect of another transfer-heavy summer seems almost inconceivable, speculation is circulating that Salah might be heading for the exit door following fresh developments regarding his future, while another injury problem sustained in the Sunderland win on Wednesday night has caused Arne Slot a greater defensive headache. Here, Daily Star Sport looks at the latest Liverpool news.

Mo Salah to Saudi Arabia update

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Salah has allegedly begun discussions with Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ittihad to hammer out a deal that could see Liverpool’s star man succeed Cristiano Ronaldo as the poster boy of the Saudi Pro League. According to The Mirror, the 33-year-old could potentially triple his £400,000-a-week Liverpool wages should he complete the move.

Now, according to a report from Foot Mercato, it’s been suggested the Egyptian has told his representative, Ramy Abbas Issa, to push ahead with talks. The report further states that Salah is now more receptive to a departure than previously.

Salah was touted for a move to the Saudi Pro League in 2024, but those whispers were silenced after the forward penned a two-year deal to remain on Merseyside towards the end of last campaign.

The possibility of cutting Salah’s substantial salary could appeal to Liverpool’s hierarchy, who would also be seeking a considerable transfer sum.

Speculation is also mounting that all sides would favour having any agreement finalised before Salah departs for the World Cup with Egypt. Salah’s readiness to entertain a move follows a difficult period which featured a damning interview last December where the attacker claimed Liverpool had ‘thrown him under the bus’.

Wataru Endo injury

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Endo was stretchered off in the win over Sunderland on Wednesday night with the Japan international requiring oxygen after attempting to continue playing despite landing painfully on his ankle.

The extent of the 33-year-old’s injury, who was making his first league start of the season at right-bacl. is unknown but it appears likely he will join Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley, Giovani Leoni and Alexander Isak on the injury table.

Speaking at his post-match press conference at the Stadium of Light, Slot said: “Yes, it’s a serious one. How serious we don’t know yet because it still has to be assessed tomorrow, but it doesn’t look good.

“I’m not too sure [if it’s his ankle]. It’s his foot, but if it is his ankle or his foot, that is what we have to assess tomorrow.

“I assume he will be out for a long, long time. What is long, it is difficult to say at this moment but you can hardly believe what this right full-back position brings us this season.”

Slot opens up on Luis Diaz departure

Reds manager Slot feels it’s unjust to assess Liverpool’s rebuilt attacking unit considering the extended injury absence for much of the campaign of British record purchase Isak.

The Reds have failed to replicate their prolific scoring displays from last season’s Premier League triumph when they were the league’s top scorers. While Ekitike has shown promise, Isak’s contribution has been limited to just three goals in 16 appearances due to recurring fitness issues. Salah’s form has taken a surprising dip, and Cody Gakpo has also found it challenging to make a consistent impact.

The £65.5m summer sale of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich has raised eyebrows among many fans, especially given the Colombian winger’s impressive tally of 18 goals and 14 assists in 30 games. Diaz played a pivotal role in securing Liverpool’s 20th top-flight title last season.

“You always miss good football players. He was so important for us last season, but he wasn’t the only one,” Slot said when asked about his former player.

“There were more players that were influential in our results. But I think we have replaced them with very good players as well. It is maybe more fair to say that if Alex had been fit, would we have spoken about it then as well?

“Luis Diaz is another example of how this club is run. If this club gets for a 28-year-old an offer like that then this club, because it is built on sustainability, chooses to sell a player and we are an exception in the Premier League, especially at the top of the Premier League, for that.

“But that is why it is also so nice that we are able to achieve the things we have achieved in the last few years with that model. But he is doing very well at Bayern and that is not a surprise to me.”