Dominic Matteo has warned that Liverpool will struggle to replace Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson this summer, with both players set to leave Anfield. Salah announced during the March international break that the 2025/26 season will be his last with the club, while Robertson has also confirmed his departure after nine years.
Salah has scored 256 goals and provided 122 assists in 438 appearances for Liverpool, playing a key role in two Premier League titles and the 2018/19 Champions League triumph. Robertson has been equally influential, sharing the same trophy success. Matteo, speaking exclusively to the ECHO via BetSelect.co.uk, said: 'Salah is irreplaceable with the numbers he's got and what he's achieved, but they'll have to find someone. Looking at players in the Premier League now, there's no one who's been as good as Salah.'
The former Liverpool defender suggested the club may need to look for younger talent or consider players from abroad, such as Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele, who scored twice against Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-finals. However, Matteo acknowledged that signing such players would be difficult and expensive.
Regarding Robertson's replacement, manager Arne Slot has revealed that Kostas Tsimikas will return to Liverpool this summer after a successful loan spell at Roma. Slot said: 'Kostas is coming back. First aim is to see how we react in the position of Mo whether we want to replace with a similar player or do that differently.' He also noted that the club made significant signings last year and had a net spend of £150 million over four windows.
Liverpool also face the potential departure of Ibrahima Konate, who is out of contract this summer. With Virgil van Dijk now 34, the club may need to plan for the future in defence as well. Slot confirmed that Konate's contract situation is under discussion, but added: 'At this moment of time there's not a chance of a lot of players leaving.'
