Liverpool 'identify' Mohamed Salah replacement and have £41m bid 'ready to go'

Liverpool have identified Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi as a potential successor to Mohamed Salah, according to reports. Adeyemi set the Champions League alight with his hat-trick in Dortmund's 7-1 win against Celtic on Tuesday and has entered Arne Slot's crosshairs amid planning for next summer.

The 22-year-old was electric as the hosts blew Celtic away at the Westfalenstadion, completing his first hat-trick for the club in the opening 42 minutes.

He has registered five goals and five assists in eight appearances throughout an impressive season so far, reportedly catching the eye of heavyweight suitors.

According to Bild, Liverpool have entered the frame ahead of Salah's possible exit on a free transfer at the end of the campaign.

The Reds will be preparing for the Anfield icon's eventual departure, and Adeyemi has emerged among the replacement candidates.

It's claimed that Liverpool have sent scouts to observe the Germany international on several occasions in the Bundesliga.

The report adds that they are willing to pay £41million to lure Adeyemi to Merseyside two years after he joined Dortmund from RB Salzburg in a £32.5m deal.

Adeyemi's contract runs until 2027, and he has regularly insisted he is happy at the Black and Yellow, claiming he was a fan of the club as a child.

Liverpool may have to wait to watch him in action next after he was forced off early in the second half against Celtic with a thigh problem.

After full-time, Dortmund head coach Nuri Sahin said: "It's a shame because he was in the flow. He felt a little something. I hope it's nothing big."

Adeyemi will hope his muscular injury woes won't return after missing 10 games in the 2022/23 season due to two muscle tears in quick succession.

His admirers, including Liverpool, will no doubt be tracking his progress amid the increasingly chaotic fixture schedule that clubs in Europe face navigating around this term.

Salah isn't confirmed to be leaving Liverpool upon the expiry of his contract this summer, and his form isn't slowing down, scoring six goals and providing five assists in nine games under Slot.

However, the 32-year-old suggested that would be the outcome after last month's 3-0 win against Manchester United.

"I had a good summer and had a long time to myself to try to stay positive because, as you know, it's my last year at the club," Salah explained after having a hand in all three goals at Old Trafford.

"I just want to enjoy it and I don't want to think about it. I feel like I'm free to play football and then we'll see what happens next year."