Liverpool urged to make Mohamed Salah decision and sign 'next Sadio Mané'

Robbie Fowler has urged Liverpool to keep Mohamed Salah this summer, and sign a player he sees as the next Sadio Mané.

Salah is facing speculation over his future at Anfield as the transfer window approaches. The Egyptian will enter the final year of his contract this summer, with interest from Saudi Arabia almost certain to crop up again.

It has been suggested that Salah is viewed as a key player for next season ahead of Arne Slot’s arrival as head coach. The 31-year-old has also seemingly indicated he would prefer to stay with the Reds.

READ MORE: Steven Gerrard caused 'struggle' for ex-Liverpool star before Jürgen Klopp changed everything

READ MORE: Xabi Alonso agrees with Jürgen Klopp as Bayer Leverkusen suffers same fate as Liverpool

Former striker Fowler believes it is an ‘easy decision’ for Liverpool to keep Salah, although he has warned the winger will eventually leave Anfield.

“You cannot argue about what Mo (Salah) has done for Liverpool over the years,” Fowler told Crypto Casino LTD (via the ECHO). “As with every football club, there are ifs and buts, but we have to remember that he has been injured for pretty much the first time in his career here and that has played a large part in people’s opinions on his future.

“For me, he has not played well since January, but he’s still scored goals. For me, you have got to keep him, but there will be a point where he has to go. But that is the same for a lot of the players at the club currently and that happens in football.

“Personally, I want him to stay and I want him to be successful because if he plays to his best then he is world class and he can help the club win trophies. If he can return to being the player that we know he can, it’s an easy decision.”

Although he wants to see Salah stay, Fowler also believes Liverpool needs to bolster its attacking options this summer. To that end, he has earmarked Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Newcastle’s Alexander Isak as two players he wants to see join the club, drawing comparisons to Mané with the latter.

READ MORE: Arsenal agrees departure for midfielder Liverpool 'considered' amid Jürgen Klopp recommendation

“Liverpool will always be linked with some of the best players in the world," Fowler added. "That’s just a reflection of the size of the club. You want to be linked to these players who are capable of changing games.

“In the last six weeks or so, it has become evident that Liverpool need a player who can change things and make their attack more varied when it isn’t happening for them. I’m not saying that (Mohammed) Kudus is that catalyst however.

“Would he make the club better? He would make the squad better, there is no doubt about that and he is an exciting player. There are two players I would genuinely like to see at the club; Ollie Watkins and Alexander Isak.

“I think Watkins has just signed a new deal, but I’ve got a lot of time for him and I think he is brilliant. Isak, for me, reminds me of Sadio Mané as well. I don’t want to put things in people’s heads, but I think he would be a good fit as well.

“There’s a bit of a Sadio Mané headache still at Liverpool and I can see a bit of Mané in Isak, in all honesty.”

Liverpool.com says: Keeping Salah this summer makes sense, although Liverpool could still do with tying him down to a new deal, even it’s just for an extra year. Letting him go for free next year would be a huge missed opportunity.

As for signing Watkins or Isak, the latter would seem to be a more realistic option. He still wouldn’t come cheaply though, and all the signs point to Arne Slot wanting a new winger this summer, whereas Isak is more of a conventional number nine.