It feels inevitable. Those quiet but weighty words have echoed through Liverpool’s corridors of power in recent weeks. Reality is setting in — time moves quickly, even when you wish it wouldn’t. Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian King, symbol of an era, and breaker of countless records, will one day surrender his crown at Anfield. And when that moment comes, Liverpool must already have his successor prepared to wear it.
That search has now taken a surprising and fascinating turn — because the man some believe could be destined to replace Salah currently wears the blue of Everton. Yes, you read that correctly. The player who might lead Liverpool’s future attack could come from across Stanley Park.
At first, the idea seems outrageous — almost sacrilegious. Everton and Liverpool: two clubs divided by rivalry, pride, and generations of history. Yet football, in its beautiful unpredictability, often scripts stories no one dares to imagine. And now, one name keeps surfacing with growing logic and intrigue — Iliman Ndiaye.
Under Arne Slot’s leadership and the vision of sporting director Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s transfer strategy has evolved. The club no longer simply pursues big names — it seeks identity, intelligence, and tactical fit. Slot’s system relies on wide attackers who can create chaos: dribblers who glide past defenders, invent opportunities, and open spaces through creativity and flair. Ndiaye, now shining at Goodison Park, fits that mold perfectly.
Salah’s contract runs until 2027, but few within the club expect him to stay that long. After nearly a decade of brilliance, goals, and inspiration, the cycle is naturally nearing its end. Liverpool know they can’t wait for that farewell to plan the next chapter. The club’s future — and possibly the next five years of evolution — depends on getting this decision right. Salah’s heir must do more than replace a position; he must carry a legacy.
Scouts have searched worldwide — from Spain to Germany and Portugal — yet one of the most complete wide attackers seems to be right across the park. Since joining Everton, Ndiaye has become one of the Premier League’s most electric dribblers: explosive yet composed, creative yet decisive. With 25 successful take-ons already this season, he ranks among the league’s elite — proof of his courage and skill.
For Liverpool, who often struggle to unlock low defensive blocks, Ndiaye offers precisely what’s missing. When Salah is rested or off form, the team lacks that unpredictable spark — the winger who can weave through two or three defenders and still create danger. Ndiaye possesses that gift: the power to turn pressure into opportunity.
Though comparisons to Salah may seem unfair, Ndiaye’s style might actually suit Slot’s football even better. Salah’s brilliance lies in speed, precision, and clinical finishing. Ndiaye’s lies in artistry — in how he manipulates defenders, changes rhythm, and creates freedom for his teammates. In that sense, he could become the creative heartbeat of Liverpool’s next attacking phase.
The biggest obstacle, of course, is the Merseyside divide. Liverpool and Everton rarely, if ever, do business. The last direct transfer — Abel Xavier in 2002 — sparked outrage across the city. Since then, both clubs have carefully avoided crossing that line. For Hughes to sign Ndiaye, he’d have to challenge one of English football’s most enduring taboos.
Yet whispers inside Anfield suggest some think he’s worth it. Ndiaye’s performances have attracted attention across Europe, but Liverpool’s style and ambition make them an ideal fit — if they dare to act.
Everton, naturally, would resist fiercely. Selling a star to their biggest rivals would sting their pride. But football is also a business, and if Liverpool present an offer that secures Everton’s future, even the unthinkable could happen. Such a transfer would not only shock the world but redefine both clubs’ futures.
Beyond the rivalry lies a deeper narrative. Ndiaye’s journey — from lower leagues to Premier League stardom — reflects resilience and growth, values deeply rooted in Liverpool’s identity. He plays with the hunger and humility that Anfield admires. To many fans, he already feels like a Liverpool player trapped in blue.
Slot knows replacing Salah isn’t a one-man mission. You can’t simply buy another legend — you rebuild the system around new strengths. Ndiaye may not deliver 30 goals a season, but he could inspire a different kind of dominance: unpredictable, collective, and alive with creativity.
Watching him twist defenders at Goodison, it’s easy to understand the growing fascination. His fearlessness, flair, and rhythm recall Salah’s early days in red. And in a football world increasingly defined by structure, players who break the rules — who play with freedom — are priceless.
Whether Liverpool actually move for him remains uncertain. But Richard Hughes has a reputation for bold decisions. His task is to shape Liverpool’s next great era, and every era begins with a defining winger. Salah was that for Klopp’s Liverpool; Ndiaye could be that for Slot’s.
Still, the fanbase remains divided. Can a player from Everton truly become a Liverpool hero? The rivalry runs deep — yet football has a way of softening history. Once a player scores under the Kop, the past fades quickly.
Timing also plays a part. Salah will likely seek a final adventure abroad before 2027, and Liverpool can’t afford to rebuild from zero when he leaves. Ndiaye, already proven in the Premier League, could step in seamlessly — no adaptation required. His stats back it up: improved finishing, creative passing, relentless pressing — all qualities Slot values highly.
Liverpool’s current attackers — Díaz, Jota, Gakpo — offer flashes but none fully replicate Salah’s right-wing dominance. Ndiaye could bring that spark back.
Breaking the blue-red transfer barrier would be seismic, but history often remembers the brave. Hughes might see this as his defining act — the move that shows Liverpool’s ambition to evolve beyond limits.
Salah’s eventual departure will be emotional; he is more than a footballer — he’s a symbol of belief and glory. But when his chapter closes, football will move on, as it always does. And perhaps, just across Stanley Park, the next great story is already being written.
In the end, those same quiet words echo once again around Anfield: It has to happen. Not because it’s easy or expected — but because greatness never stands still.
