Liverpool transfer news: Barcelona pair touted as Mohamed Salah heirs

Liverpool have been linked with Barcelona attacking duo Raphinha and Ansu Fati, who are among those viewed by the club as potential Mohamed Salah replacements.

Despite the fact he's approaching 32, Mohamed Salah has been in sensational form for the Reds yet again this season. The winger has 27 goal contributions in as many games and remains an irreplaceable member of Jurgen Klopp's squad.

Salah hasn't featured for Liverpool since New Year's Day after travelling to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and, despite Egypt having since been knocked out of the competition, he's still unavailable due to a hamstring injury.

While the Reds have coped well in his absence, bar a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday, the thought of losing Salah permanently remains unthinkable.

However, with his contract expiring in 2025 and Saudi Arabia desperate to sign him, the forward's Liverpool future is far from certain, especially given Klopp will be leaving Anfield come the end of the season.

As a result, the Reds have been linked with a host of potential heirs to Salah's throne, with the Spanish press (via TEAMtalk) claiming that there is interest in Barcelona pair Raphinha and Ansu Fati.

Former Leeds United forward has been regularly linked with Liverpool in the past, even prior to his move to Catalonia. The Brazilian made a quick start to life in Spain but has since fallen down the pecking order slightly.

With Barcelona's financial woes and the emergence of wonderkid Lamine Yamal, the La Liga champions could be tempted to cash in on the 27-year-old.

However, Raphinha seems an unlikely replacement for Salah given his age profile and general form. While 11 goal contributions in 20 appearances this season isn't bad, it's nowhere near the level of output that Salah has produced.

Fati is currently out on loan at Brighton and has shown glimpses of his quality with the Seagulls, with four goals and an assist in 14 Premier League and Europa League outings this season.

The Spain international has struggled with injuries throughout his career and has done so on the English south coast as well, with reports suggesting that Liverpool would wait to see how he gets on at the Amex before deciding on whether to make a move for the 21-year-old.

However, as a right-footed winger, he isn't a natural replacement for Salah, nor would he come cheap.

Similarly to Raphinha, Liverpool would likely be wise to focus their attentions elsewhere should Salah leave the club in the near future.