Liverpool identify Takefusa Kubo as perfect Mohamed Salah replacement and 'offer THREE players' in outrageous swap deal

Liverpool kept their Premier League title charge on track with a late win at Brentford but the January transfer window continues to increase the focus on the futures of three of their superstars.

The Reds face losing Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk on free transfers when their contracts expire in the summer.

With Al Hilal linked with taking Salah to Saudi Arabia and make him the world's highest paid footballer, Liverpool are planning for life without him.

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool have identified 23-year-old Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo as a top target to replace Salah and have offered three players to the Basque club in order to take the edge off Kubo's €60 million release clause.

Former Barcelona youth player Kubo was brought back to Spain by Real Madrid in 2019. After a series of loans, the Japanese international joined Sociedad in 2022 and has caught the eye with his ability to carry the ball and make vital contributions out of possession. He has 20 goals to his name in La Liga as well as five for his national team.

Mo Salah is out of contract in the summer. Image: Getty

Liverpool are said to be willing to part with three players to get their man. Federico Chiesa has just recently started to have an impact at Anfield as he works his way back to fitness but has reportedly been offered to Sociedad as part of a deal for Kubo just six months after joining the club.

31-year-old Wataru Endo is also part of the reported offer. He joined Liverpool in 2023 but has had limited playing time this season, featuring infrequently in the Premier League and the Champions League but being handed regular starts in Liverpool's ongoing Carabao Cup campaign.

Harvey Elliott has been linked with a move away from Liverpool. Image: Getty

Perhaps the most surprising player lined up as a possible makeweight for Kubo is Harvey Elliott. Still a youngster at 21 years of age, Elliott has been at Liverpool since 2019 and his quality and affinity for the club are beyond doubt.

But Liverpool's strength in his position might shape their priorities with a replacement required for Salah in the long-term regardless of what happens in the next two transfer windows.