It’s clear that Mohamed Salah will be one of the most challenging players for Liverpool to replace this summer.
The Egyptian King has served as a key offensive player for the Reds since his arrival in 2017.
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Although he may not have reached his usual high standards during the 2025-26 season, Salah still played a role in 22 goals across all competitions.
A decline in Salah’s form was expected eventually, but Arne Slot not utilizing the attacker’s strengths likely didn’t help the situation.
Regardless, Salah’s time at Anfield has come to a close, leading to the need for a new player to step in and potentially fill that gap. Currently, it seems Liverpool may have found an excellent option.
Joshua Abe Returns to Training After Injury
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Liverpool’s academy has consistently produced exceptional talent over the years.
Recent examples of homegrown players who have made it to the Reds’ first team include Conor Bradley, Curtis Jones, and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Steven Gerrard is arguably the finest among them, but it appears that Liverpool is on the brink of nurturing another golden generation.
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At the forefront of this potential golden generation is Joshua Abe, who had an impressive season with Liverpool’s under-18s.
His season was unfortunately cut short due to an injury that led many to believe it would take a long time for him to return.
However, that isn’t the case, as Koached by Ko shared a video of the teenager back in training on Instagram.
Joshua Abe May Be the Solution to Filling Salah’s Void
As noted, Abe distinguished himself as one of Liverpool’s standout youngsters this season in the under-18 team.
The attacker showcased his skills across 11 Under-18 Premier League matches, contributing to a remarkable 11 goals.
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His appearances came primarily as a right winger and right midfielder, marking him as a ready-made replacement for Salah.
Additionally, he’s left-footed, which adds to the similarities he shares with the Egyptian star.
While it’s understood that a 15-year-old is too young to be relied upon as a regular starter for a professional side, he could take on a similar role to Rio Ngumoha this season.
Even if he only garners some playing time, like 10 minutes sporadically with the senior team, it would be valuable experience that helps him acclimate to the professional environment.
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Of course, his prospects may shift depending on his recovery, but as it stands, providing Abe with more frequent opportunities appears to be a decision that Andoni Iraola should strongly consider.