Football is often called a team sport, but sometimes one man tilts the balance of destiny. For Liverpool, that man is Mohamed Salah. Week after week, season after season, the Egyptian King has delivered goals, assists, and moments of magic that keep the Reds at the top of the Premier League and among Europe’s elite. But a provocative question lingers in the minds of fans: where would Liverpool be without Salah? Today, IndiGoal will dive deep into the numbers, the scenarios, and the realities behind life at Anfield without their talisman.
Salah’s unmatched influence on Liverpool
Mohamed Salah is not just Liverpool’s leading scorer; he is the club’s heartbeat. His ability to both create and finish chances means he is responsible for a large portion of Liverpool’s goals every season. In the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, Salah’s contributions — both goals and assists — have been directly worth over 15 to 17 points in the table. That difference alone can determine whether Liverpool are fighting for the title or battling mid-table obscurity.
Since arriving in 2017, Salah has consistently scored more than 20 league goals a season, often adding 10+ assists. Without him, Liverpool’s attacking power would look completely different, with fewer outlets for pace, width, and ruthless finishing.
The Premier League table without Salah’s goals
Statistics tell a chilling story. Remove Salah’s direct goal involvements, and Liverpool slide dramatically down the Premier League table. Analysts suggest that:
- Without Salah’s goals and assists this season, Liverpool would sit around 13th to 15th place, dangerously close to the relegation zone.
- The Reds would lose out on crucial wins turned.
- Rivals like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City would pull far ahead, leaving Liverpool fighting for scraps.
Such numbers underline that Liverpool are not just a strong collective — they are heavily dependent on one man’s brilliance to stay relevant at the very top.
How Liverpool have fared without Salah on the pitch
Matches he missed
When Salah is unavailable, whether through injury, international duty, or rotation, Liverpool often look blunt in attack. The fluidity of their pressing remains, but the cutting edge fades. Opponents defend higher, knowing the threat of Salah’s runs in behind is absent.
Champions League struggles
Recent campaigns show a similar story in Europe. In games where Salah has been absent or off-form, Liverpool struggle to maintain their usual clinical nature, often relying on scraps from Darwin Núñez, Diogo Jota, or Luis Díaz.
Alternative heroes: who steps up?
To imagine a Liverpool without Salah is also to imagine who might fill the void. The Reds are not short of talent:
- Darwin Núñez: A striker with explosive pace and aerial presence, but still inconsistent in front of goal.
- Luis Díaz: A dribbler who can unbalance defenses, though less prolific than Salah.
- Diogo Jota: Clever in movement, sharp in finishing, but often sidelined by injuries.
- Cody Gakpo: A versatile forward who adds creativity but lacks Salah’s sheer ruthlessness.
While all are valuable, none offer the combined consistency of scoring, creating, and dragging defenders wide the way Salah does.
Historical parallels: Liverpool’s past reliance on stars
Liverpool have lived this nightmare before. The departure of Luis Suárez in 2014 plunged the Reds into mediocrity, while the exits of Fernando Torres and even Michael Owen in their times left similar scars. Each time, rebuilding took years. Salah, however, is not just another star; he is a record-breaker already etched alongside Steven Gerrard, Kenny Dalglish, and Ian Rush in the club’s pantheon.
The lesson? History shows that losing a generational forward often leads to a painful transition period.
Could Liverpool adapt without Salah?
It’s tempting to argue that Liverpool, with their high-intensity system under Arne Slot, might survive without Salah. Yet adaptation is not immediate. They would likely need:
- A marquee signing — possibly a winger like Kylian Mbappé, Leroy Sané, or even a younger rising star to replicate Salah’s numbers.
- Greater midfield creativity — more goals. Tactical shifts — reliance on pressing strength and collective attacking rather than one superstar.
However, any transition would be risky, and Liverpool’s rivals would pounce during the adjustment period.
The global impact of Salah beyond the pitch
Salah is more than just goals. He is Liverpool’s global ambassador, a magnet for fans in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. His presence boosts shirt sales, social media reach, and commercial deals. Without him, Liverpool would also lose a marketing giant, making his absence felt far beyond Anfield’s pitch.
Final thoughts
The truth is clear: where would Liverpool be without Salah? The answer is — much lower in the Premier League table, likely outside the Champions League spots, and struggling for identity both on and off the pitch. His numbers, his aura, and his leadership make him irreplaceable in the short term.
For Liverpool fans, the question isn’t just hypothetical; it is a warning. If the club want to avoid another post-Suárez collapse, they must prepare wisely for the day Salah departs. Until then, they can only cherish the King of Egypt’s reign at Anfield.
In this article, IndiGoal has shared why Salah is far more than a goalscorer — he is Liverpool’s lifeline. What do you think? Could the Reds survive without him, or would they sink into mediocrity? Share your thoughts with us, and stay tuned to IndiGoal for more deep dives into the beautiful game.
