Life after Salah: How Liverpool could line up next season without the Egyptian King

Mohamed Salah has been the first name on the Liverpool team sheet for almost a decade, but a long goodbye has started after the announcement that he will leave this summer.

It feels like the right time for both parties to move on, even if Salah's exit will leave a huge void in the Liverpool side.

We've looked at how Liverpool could line up in the Premier League next season without the 'Egyptian King'.

Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike, Isak

Recent tactical trends have seen a shift back towards two forwards, with both Arne Slot and Pep Guardiola having experimented. Salah spent significantly more time infield during the recent thrashing of Galatasaray, joining Hugo Ekitike as part of a front pair.

With Alexander Isak set to return from injury in recent weeks, is it a tactic that Liverpool could explore to accommodate both of last summer's striker signings?

With Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister as the deeper pivot in a four-man box midfield, Liverpool could use Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai to gain numerical advantage in the centre, while retaining the Isak-Ekitike combination further forward.

The onus would be on Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez to provide width, with added responsibility on Gravenberch and Mac Allister to protect Liverpool's centre-back pair.

Alisson; Konate, Van Dijk, Jacquet; Frimpong, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Kerkez; Wirtz; Isak, Ekitike

Liverpool have rarely used a back three system but, on paper, it appears a formation that suits current personnel. The ongoing talk around the potential arrival of Xabi Alonso to replace Arne Slot will do little to quieten down talk of a system switch.

Liverpool agreed a deal to sign Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes in January and the talented young defender will link up with the Reds in the summer.

Using three central defenders would allow greater licence for Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez to get forward, while perhaps adding a layer of protection to an ageing Virgil van Dijk. Further additions may be required to add defensive depth. Particularly if the out-of-contract Konate fails to sign a new deal.

Furthermore, the system provides Florian Wirtz with a free role behind Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike.

Replacing Salah is a near-impossible task, with the Egyptian having been a generational talent at Anfield.

Liverpool have been linked with a variety of wingers, including RB Leipzig teenager Yan Diomande, which suggests a desire to stick with the current shape.

However, there's an argument that Liverpool will need more than one winger next season. The squad already lacks competition for Salah, and Cody Gakpo having struggled for consistency.

A continuation with a 4-2-3-1 formation offers familiarity, but also retains the headache of fitting Isak and Ekitike into the same team.