Exclusive: Emile Heskey Hails Salah as ‘Irreplaceable,’ and Calls for Urgent Liverpool Contract Talks

Ex-Liverpool striker Emile Heskey believes the club should do everything in their power to tie Mohamed Salah down to a new deal.

Egyptian international hitman Salah’s current contract runs out this summer, as does those of club captain Virgil van Dijk and fellow defender Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Heskey, who enjoyed a distinguished career at Anfield, is adamant the club would have a “big hole” to fill is any one of those players departed for pastures new.

Salah has been very vocal about Liverpool’s reluctance to offer him a new deal, with former Liverpool ace Jamie Carragher saying the striker is too old at 32 to deserve a long-term deal.

But Salah’s continues to score fun and currently tops the Premier League Top Scorers’ table with 18 goals, two ahead of Man City marksman Erling Haaland.

“We don’t know the full story with Mo Salah, so we can only go with what’s been said, but I’d be very surprised if Liverpool hadn’t started some sort of negotiations,” Heskey told SportsBoom.com. 

“Maybe not speaking to him, firstly, but at least negotiations with his representatives."

“But equally they [Liverpool] would have to be very naïve if they hadn’t started negotiations."

“He’s one of the club’s main players. You’re talking about someone who makes 30 goal contributions every season."

“How much would that cost to replace? A huge amount of money."

“And, to be honest, is there a replacement for Salah? I’m not really sure there is, he’s that good of a player."

“Not just in the Premier League, but let’s go everywhere around the world."

“Someone who hogs the line like Salah does, can break into the middle and who can finish, and whose always a threat in behind, it’s so difficult to find. Mo has all those qualities."

“Yes, he’s getting older, but he’s not changing. He seems to getting better with age, he’s like Jamie Vardy, he’s still scoring goals in his 30s."

“Vardy is 37 and is still Leicester’s number one striker, just like Mo is Liverpool’s main man.”

FUTURE SUCCESS

Ex-England hitman, capped 62 times by his country, believes experienced international defender Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold are also key to Liverpool’s chances of success, not just for this season but for the foreseeable future.

“All three of those players are really important to try and tie down [to new deals],” stressed Heskey.

“Once you take one of them out it’s going to leave a big hole.”

Liverpool are flying high at the top of the Premier League with a healthy seven-point lead over fellow title-chasers Arsenal. 

Surprise-package Nottingham Forest are second having drawn against Slot's side on Tuesday, and could yet mount a title-charge come the end of the season.

The Reds have lost just one this season in the top flight and impressed with 14 wins and five draws from their 20 matches so far under new boss Arne Slot.

“I’ve been really impressed with Arne Slot,” Heskey told SportsBoom.com. 

“You know, when you come in from a different country and you’re replacing someone of Jurgen Klopp’s statue, who has won it all."

“At the end of the day you’re replacing someone who has not only grasped the city, the fans and the players, but the actual league as well. That’s a lot to ask for."

“That’s a very daunting challenge and Arne has come in and done really well."

“He’s changed a few bits, it certainly doesn’t look the same as when Klopp was in charge."

“And he’s also changed the style of football as well, which is working well, so you have to admire him and congratulate him for doing that."

“Not only that, but he’s sticking to what he believes, which is a big quality to have for any great manager.”