Mo Salah replacement option suggested as Nico Williams links resurface

CommentsSportHarry Brent06:00, 11 Mar 2026It's been a season that continues to be characterised by ups and downs for Liverpool. Runs of good results have repeatedly been interrupted by irritating dips in form, with the Premier League holders already recording nine league losses this season.

A 2-1 defeat to bottom-placed Wolves last week dented Liverpool's ambitions of battling their way back into the top four, though the Reds exacted a measure of revenge shortly afterward by eliminating the West Midlands outfit from the FA Cup just days later.

With any realistic chance of retaining the Premier League crown now virtually gone, attention is gradually turning to the summer window and how the Anfield side could reinforce the squad before the next campaign begins. After investing over £400million on signings last summer, though, another huge spending splurge looks unlikely.

That said, with a number of important players failing to hit form and others nearing the end of their deals, notable - and possibly costly - changes may still lie ahead. Below, ECHO rounds up the latest Liverpool-related headlines.

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Reports claim Liverpool are willing to splash out heavily to secure Athletic Club winger Nico Williams. The Spain international, 23, ranks among the most in-demand attackers in Europe, attracting interest from clubs such as Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Chelsea.

Williams signed a massive 10-year contract in Bilbao last year, which seemed to end hopes for clubs hoping to lure him away. However, the agreement reportedly contains a release clause expected to increase to €100m (£86.5m) this summer.

Spanish outlets suggest Liverpool would be prepared to match that valuation to bring Williams to Anfield. Although the Spaniard would not directly mirror Salah - who typically plays on the right while Williams favours the left - signing him could help reduce the loss of goals and star quality if the Egyptian leaves this summer.

Salah's Liverpool contract doesn't expire until 2027, but given his disappointing recent form, and his mid-season falling out with manager Arne Slot, an end-of-season departure is far from out of the question, particularly with Saudi Pro League clubs lurking.

Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has suggested Tottenham winger Dejan Kulusevski might serve as an ideal successor to Salah. The Sweden international, 25, has not played yet this season after sustaining a serious knee injury last May, though he produced 10 goals and 11 assists across 50 matches for Spurs in the 2024/25 season.

Johnson likened Kulusevski's ability to "glide" beyond defenders to Salah's style and argued Liverpool might even be able to sign him at a lower price this summer, with Tottenham currently sitting close to the relegation zone.

"Dejan Kulusevski a replacement for Mohamed Salah? Potentially. You know, you've seen him sort of glide past them like they're not moving," he told BOYLE Sports. "He definitely has that ability that can create something out of nothing.

"That skill, you can't teach that. So he's definitely got ability. If they were to go down, and he was available on the cheap, then yeah, you could understand why someone would take a risk and why not Liverpool."

Kulusevski arrived at Tottenham from Juventus in January 2022, initially on loan before completing a permanent transfer in 2023. Spurs had first pursued Luis Diaz - who was at Porto at the time - but switched their attention to Kulusevski after Liverpool successfully hijacked their move for the Colombian.

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