The countdown has begun. Mo Salah's final appearances in a Liverpool shirt are fast approaching, and the conversation about how to fill his boots is only going to get louder.
It's not a simple question. For years, our No. 11 has been so consistently brilliant that almost any successor will feel like a step down in one way or another. Even when a name as big as Kylian Mbappé gets thrown into the mix, the doubts remain.
Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol recently weighed in on ESPN, and he wasn't convinced. When asked if he'd take Mbappé to replace Salah—assuming money wasn't an issue—Nicol didn't hold back. "You always have to think what's best, right, what's best for everybody," he said. Then came the real question: "Do you want a pain in the backside who's gonna destroy whatever dressing room chemistry you have?"
He made his stance even clearer, asking, "Why do you want a problem? Do you want to take the problem, possibly the biggest problem, away from Real Madrid and plant it in Liverpool?"
It's a bold take, especially considering Mbappé's undeniable talent. The Frenchman has scored 24 La Liga goals this season, and in pure ability, every club would want a forward producing numbers like that. But Nicol's argument isn't about talent—it's about fit, personality, and what kind of team Liverpool would be building after Salah.
He pointed to the issues Real Madrid have faced trying to build around Mbappé, suggesting things haven't gone as smoothly as expected. That's where the comparison to Salah becomes so tricky. The Egyptian has combined world-class output with years of reliability, professionalism, and tactical trust. That's a rare combination.
Meanwhile, manager Arne Slot has confirmed Salah will be available for a brief cameo against Aston Villa. "Mo will be available tomorrow for only a few minutes, but hopefully can come in," Slot said. It will be Salah's final Premier League away appearance for Liverpool—a moment that makes the search for his successor feel more urgent than ever.
As the debate heats up, one thing is clear: replacing a legend isn't just about finding another superstar. It's about finding the right fit for the shirt.