If Liverpool wants to recruit a player who could succeed Mohamed Salah, it might have to wait, but Xabi Alonso’s endorsement could mean that the timing is ideal.

Even though Liverpool won’t want to consider losing Mohamed Salah anytime soon, the team must consider its options going forward. The interest in the Egyptian’s services isn’t going away, as he will turn 32 next year and enter the last year of his contract.

It’s no secret that Saudi Arabian teams are keen to sign Salah and have exerted significant effort to do so in the summer. Liverpool avoided the impulse, but it’s unclear how long the team can avoid giving in to temptation.

Jürgen Klopp is unwilling to consider the concept. Last month, when discussing Salah’s ties to Saudi Arabia, Klopp told reporters, “He is really positive.” He wants to make the most of the lads’ potential because he enjoys their company and believes they have a lot to offer. I hope I don’t have to think about the other stuff because I never considered it.”

It is inevitable that Salah will need to be replaced at some point. Although he has had a fantastic start to the season, it is obvious that Liverpool 2.0 might not be based only on him. Obviously, a 31-year-old cannot be the center of a team designed for the future. Under Klopp’s leadership, new stars and talismans are emerging and leaving their imprint.

Liverpool will unavoidably have to make the decision to bid Salah farewell at some point. However, there aren’t many players in international football who could replace him at Anfield at the moment.

One player who is now playing for Xabi Alonso could be the ideal fit. For many years, Florian Wirtz was considered the wonderkid who saved German football.

At the tender age of 20, he has already shattered numerous Bundesliga records and made frequent appearances for the senior German national team. Due to his performance, there have been rumors about him leaving Leverkusen, and Liverpool is reportedly one of the teams interested (Daily Star).

But it appears the Reds will have to wait if they want him. In an interview with Sky Sport Deutschland, Hans-Joachim Wirtz, Wirtz’s father, hinted that his son would remain in Leverkusen come 2025.

Everything is currently planned for Florian to play for Leverkusen the next season, according to Wirtz Sr. Furthermore, it has been reported by Florian Plettenberg that Wirtz is eager to join Bayern Munich.

Numerous Bundesliga players have followed this path in the past, so Liverpool’s attempt to get him to stray from it will be difficult. The timing of Salah’s contract expiration and Wirtz’s anticipated exit, if the Reds can pull it off, may indicate the ideal transfer scheme.

Wirtz is accustomed to playing on the wing, even though he is primarily an offensive midfielder for Leverkusen, using his central passing abilities. Given that he is ambidextrous and can shoot with both his left and right foot, he is more than capable of playing on either side of the ball.

He is the kind of little offensive player capable of starting in Salah’s position at Liverpool because of his one-on-one skills, goal-scoring ability, and goal-creating ability. All season long, his management has been in awe of him; earlier this year, he was even likened to Lionel Messi.

“On the field, there are athletes who are talented and those who have excellent looks. According to GOAL, Alonso told reporters, “The player who looks good does things that are nice, but not necessarily efficient.”

How come Messi is so good? because he understands when and how to play basic passes. “You’re in a better position?” asks Messi. You have the ball right here! Making the best and smartest decision is more important than constantly being the most clever one. Florian is capable of that. That explains his excellence.”

Given Alonso’s endorsement, Wirtz’s recent performance, and his youth (20 years old), Klopp looks to have found the ideal player. In the event that the Reds decide to let go of Salah, the German international might be the perfect choice to succeed the club legend.