Liverpool Brutally Told There’s ‘No Way’ Antoine Semenyo Is as Good as Mohamed Salah

Why Liverpool’s Search for a Mohamed Salah Replacement Won’t Be Found in Semenyo, Harvey Nichols… or Anywhere Else Soon

In a week when Liverpool’s title hopes wobbled and the noise around Mohamed Salah grew deafening, the club has now been hit with another blunt assessment: there is “no way” Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo is anywhere near the level of Salah — and the Reds should be shopping “in Harvey Nichols or Harrods” if they genuinely want a worthy successor.

Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders, never one to sugarcoat his opinions, gave a brutally honest breakdown of the entire saga during a conversation with GOAL. And in truth, it summed up exactly what many supporters are thinking but don’t want to say out loud: replacing Mohamed Salah is almost impossible.

Exit Talk: Why Mohamed Salah Is Once Again Surrounded by Transfer Rumours

It all began with a simmering frustration that finally boiled over. Salah, who has been benched for three consecutive matches, cut an unsettled figure during Liverpool’s trip to Leeds — a match in which he didn’t start and wasn’t introduced from the bench.

By the end of the night, the Egyptian superstar didn’t hold back. He accused the club of “throwing him under the bus,” voiced displeasure at becoming a scapegoat for the team’s faltering title push, and hinted at tension behind the scenes with manager Arne Slot.

Considering Salah’s status, such comments were never going to stay quiet. The reaction was immediate. Transfer speculation — especially involving clubs from the Saudi Pro League — resurfaced with full force.

And with the Africa Cup of Nations looming, some are even suggesting that Salah might have played his final game in a Liverpool shirt. It’s a dramatic thought, but football moves quickly, and atmospheres change overnight. What once seemed unthinkable now feels like a real possibility.

Salah Replacement: Why Antoine Semenyo Isn’t the Answer

With Salah’s future in limbo, Liverpool have naturally been linked with a handful of forwards: Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen, and Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise.

But Dean Saunders didn’t hold back when evaluating the rumours.

“I don’t think you can replace him,” he said flatly. “Three-and-a-half months ago he won the PFA Player of the Year. Thirty-four goals. Won the league. Voted the best by every player in the Premier League. Who replaces that?”

Then came the blunt part:

“There is no way Semenyo is as good as Mo Salah. It’s a different level. Not even close.”

It wasn’t a dig at Semenyo personally — the 24-year-old is in superb form and has been one of Bournemouth’s standout performers. But comparing him to Salah? Saunders didn’t want to entertain the idea.

“You’re talking about someone who produces every single week,” he said. “Semenyo is good, but Salah? That’s something else.”

He reminded everyone that even Son Heung-min, at his peak, was one of the few players who looked like he might step into a Liverpool front line without the level dropping. That’s how rare this conversation is.

Shopping at Harrods: The Brutal Reality of Finding a New Mohamed Salah

Saunders used an analogy that Liverpool fans have already latched onto:

“If Salah goes, you’re not shopping in Tesco.
You’re shopping in Harvey Nichols or Harrods for the next right winger.”

The translation? Liverpool can’t replace Salah with a “promising” winger. They need a generational one.

He mentioned Bukayo Saka as the type of profile needed — then pointed out that Arsenal would never sell him. That’s the bind Liverpool are in.

Everyone agrees Salah needs replacing eventually. But replacing him now, when he’s still producing elite numbers, remains one of the toughest recruitment challenges in world football.

Legacy Tarnished? Has Mohamed Salah Damaged His Anfield Reputation?

Salah has written himself into Liverpool history. Two Premier League titles, a Champions League crown, and 250 goals. For most clubs, that’s enough to become a permanent icon.

But football is merciless. One harsh moment, one angry outburst, one public dispute — and fans start to question loyalty.

Saunders thinks the Egyptian may have crossed that line.

“I feel like ringing his agent,” he said. “Tell him:
‘Just apologise. Say you were emotional. Say you got the hump because you were left out. Say you didn’t mean to upset anyone.’”

He points at the directors’ box: Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush, Alan Hansen — legends who can walk into Anfield any day.

“Will Salah be able to do that now? Has he spoiled his legacy?”

It’s a chilling thought, especially for a player who has given Liverpool some of their greatest modern memories.

What Should Salah Have Done? Saunders Explains the ‘Right Way’ to Leave

According to Saunders, Salah could have handled things very differently.

“I’m sure if he had just said privately to Arne Slot:
‘Gaffer, I want to leave in the summer. Or at Christmas. Tell the owners. Let me go in the best possible way. I love this club. I’ve been here eight years. I don’t want to leave under a cloud.’”

Instead, tensions spilled into public view. And when that happens, things rarely go back to normal.

Liverpool’s Next Step: What Happens Now?

Liverpool have spent around half a billion pounds on attacking players in recent seasons. Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota — all talented, but none close to Salah’s level of consistency.

That’s why the club now faces a dilemma:

Do they sell Salah and start a new cycle?
Or hold onto him and hope the relationship heals?

Saunders believes they never wanted to be having this conversation so soon.

“They didn’t expect to be here,” he said. “But they have to find a replacement now. It’s a decision they never thought they’d need to make.”

As for Semenyo? Good player. Hard-working. Improving every season.

But Salah’s successor?
Not in Saunders’ mind — and not in the eyes of anyone who has watched Liverpool over the past seven years.

Because Mohamed Salah isn’t just a player.
He’s a system.
A guarantee.
A phenomenon.

And at least for now, he remains irreplaceable.