Player v manager row could unlock Mo Salah replacement search

Julen Lopetegui cut a sad figure on the touchline as his West Ham United side trudged towards an emphatic 5-1 defeat against Liverpool last week.

The Spaniard, already under pressure after a poor start to the Premier League season, injured himself during the Carabao Cup tie at Anfield, and had to spend the last ten minutes slumped in his seat inside the away team's dugout.

And although the Hammers' subsequent 1-1 draw with Brentford is a more positive result, confusion reigned after star man Mohammed Kudus was substituted at half-time. 

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Kudus row bodes well for Liverpool

Reports have emerged that there was a major bust-up between Kudus and his manager at the break. Multiple outlets of West Ham news are reporting that the winger had to be restrained by team-mates as he and Lopetegui exchanged heated words after criticism was levelled at him.

This presents a promising situation for Liverpool, given Kudus was one of the club's top transfer targets this summer. The Ghanaian is a viewed as a potential long-term successor to talisman Mo Salah, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season.

The Reds reportedly had their eye on the winger two years ago, before he joined the Hammers. With the revelation that Kudus has an £85m release clause in his contract, effective from the end of the current season, Liverpool are already aware of the criteria they have to meet to secure his services.

Kudus' decision to part company with his agent in the summer has fuelled rumours that he already wanted a move away from east London.

The winger only has one goal involvement for West Ham this season - an assist in the Carabao Cup against Bournemouth - but this speaks more to the disjointed nature around the club so far this season than anything else.

Kudus scored 14 goals and registered six assists in all competitions last season, his first with West Ham. There is belief that Liverpool head coach Arne Slot would be able to raise his performance level, in a similar manner to how he has helped Luis Diaz to improve this season.