Liverpool plotting 'changing of the guard' as Salah and Mane exits mooted

By Kevin Campbell

19th Mar, 2022 | 10:00am

Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane could quit Liverpool after reliable journalist's update - pundit

Kevin Campbell has suggested Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah could both depart in a “changing of the guard” at Liverpool.

The former Arsenal striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed both superstars could leave amid links to Leeds United star Raphinha, 25.

According to Fabrizio Romano on Twitter (14 March), Liverpool are interested in the nine-goal Whites winger ahead of this summer’s transfer window.

Salah, Mane, and fellow forward Roberto Firmino are all out of contract in June 2023.

Campbell insisted Liverpool target Raphinha and current Reds stars Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz will not be content with a place on the bench.

When asked who could depart to accommodate Raphinha’s potential arrival, he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “This could well be the end of that front three of Salah, Mane, and Firmino.

“Salah and Mane have played themselves into a really difficult situation purely by being so successful. They’re, quite rightly, asking for big money to stay and it’s now up to Liverpool to either pay it or not.

“It could well be that both of them that go.

“If they want Raphinha, and they’ve already got Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota – these players are not going to want to sit on the bench. Harvey Elliott is in the background now too.

“It may well be a changing of the guard at Liverpool, and Raphinha could be a big part of that.”

A Liverpool source has told Football Insider that Salah wants £500,000-a-week to commit to a new long-term deal.

The Premier League’s top scorer wants to stay at Anfield but has dismissed the club’s most recent offer.

In other news, pundit claims Liverpool may be handed unfair advantage after major development.