Liverpool must sell Mo Salah to help Arne Slot's rebuild - the cost of waiting could be catastrophic

Mohamed Salah has a case for being one of the greatest Liverpool players of all time.

Being one of the best players on a team that has won every major trophy, Salah has been a consistent performer for each of the seven seasons he's been at the club. Still, it might be time to move on.

Last season, it was reported that Liverpool turned down an offer of around $190 million from a team in the Saudi Pro League, one said to be rejected and agreed upon by all of the decision-makers at the club, who wanted to keep Salah. It's not the first time that the Egyptian has been linked with a move away, with Barcelona said to have been interested in acquiring him in 2022 before he eventually signed a new three-year deal to remain with the team.

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That contract is now set to expire in the summer of 2025, with no extension yet agreed on nor seemingly even close. Should Salah re-sign a new deal with the Reds, he'll likely want to see his wages improved, while potentially being given a long-term deal to remain with the team despite turning 32 later this week.

A new contract would likely reset Liverpool's wages, with other players' agents sure to be aware of Salah's earnings and using it to get better deals for their own clients. But frankly, that's not the issue and it certainly is not the reason he probably should be sold this summer. Salah would absolutely be deserving of a new contract from the perspective of what he's given to the club, but the Reds should also realize they have a long-term future to protect.

As much as Liverpool fans will not like hearing this, and many will disagree, it's tough to envision a situation in which the team is contending for a Premier League title this upcoming season. It will be Arne Slot's first as new head coach after Klopp left, with his system likely to take time for the team to adjust to - as it did for two years when Klopp had joined.

Liverpool is most likely not going to be granted the time to work things out under Slot through the campaign and compete for the title... teams like Manchester City and Arsenal were already better than them last year and both are likely to improve through the transfer window.

While Salah keeps himself in incredible shape, he'll turn 33 years old at the end of next season. After already showing some signs of decline, struggling after returning from AFCON while some will argue that he's lost a yard of speed... it is unlikely that the club will receive any big offers for his services next summer.

This offseason could essentially be Liverpool's last chance to sell high, with rumors already swirling that Saudi teams will reignite their interest.

While selling Salah would be an extremely tough pill to swallow, it could legitimately bring Liverpool as much as $120-150 million - money that could be immediately spent bringing in players who the returning Michael Edwards and the incoming Richard Hughes can use to build the necessary team around the players they already have - while ideally suiting Slot's new system.

Liverpool fans know all about Edwards' track record. We've already seen his ability to replace players in the aggregate to improve the team, as they had under him when Philippe Coutinho was sold, to fund moves for Virgil van Dijk and Alisson. That worked out pretty well.

While this is not to say that Liverpool must do the same thing with money spent on selling Salah, it is evidence that the approach has worked before and could again.

As previously mentioned, Salah is a club legend and remains a truly incredible player. He is still one of the best right forwards in the game, and it would not necessarily be a mistake to keep hold of him. He could lead the Premier League in goals next season, aiding Liverpool to another impressive season and it would not be a surprise.

But is that enough? If Liverpool does receive an offer that is too good to turn down, is it really worth keeping Salah for one more season with his value likely to significantly decrease? Is missing out on $150 million really worth a season of finishing third or fourth to see him wear Red for one more year?

These are questions and conversations all involved at the club must have in order to assure the brightest possible future for Liverpool, and to give Slot the best possible chance to succeed after moving on from a truly magical few years.