'I think Liverpool already have their Mohamed Salah transfer replacement lined up'

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Former Liverpool goalkeeper David James gives his verdict on Mohamed Salah's situation at AnfieldFormer Liverpool goalkeeper David James believes the Premier League champions will already have a replacement for Mohamed Salah lined up.Salah has been a substitute for the Reds' last three games, appearing only in the second half of last Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Sunderland as Arne Slot has attempted to change his side in an effort to stabilise what has been a woeful couple of months at Anfield.Liverpool are unbeaten since Salah dropped to the bench but draws against Sunderland and Leeds United, were they were held 3-3 at Elland Road on Saturday evening, still leaves questions over Slot's ability to turn around a sequence that has seen them win just four of the last 15 and only twice in the Premier League since September.READ MORE: 'A towering inferno' - National media react to Mohamed Salah's bombshell Liverpool interviewREAD MORE: Egypt FA send clear Mohamed Salah message after bombshell Liverpool interviewSalah signed a new, two-year contract extension in April but spoke of broken promises and a breakdown in his relationship with Slot after Saturday's game with Leeds.And former Reds shot-stopper James, who was speaking before Saturday's developments, told CasinoBernie: "Liverpool didn't have to sign Mo Salah and Mo Salah didn't have to sign for Liverpool."I mean, in the end, the deal that he signed would have been right for both parties."And I think if there came a time, and I know Liverpool aren't unique in this, but most of the reasoning behind signing players will be the numbers they're producing."So you could envisage a situation where Mo's numbers aren't what Liverpool need. And if there were a potential suitor somewhere else, then I'm sure with conversation, because Mo does have a say in it, that Liverpool would be willing to let him go."Under contract, I don't think I could see a situation where Mo's going to hang around just to get paid."I think there would be a situation where, through conversation because I know the dialogue with Liverpool is always really good, that the two parties would sit down and discuss the future."James added: "However, if Mo starts doing what Liverpool would like him to do and Mo I'm sure would like to do and starts scoring loads of goals, then their hand could be forced by a potential suitor, because whatever club is interested, Saudi logically as they're the ones with the money, they may make an offer that Liverpool can't refuse."I also think that Liverpool will have someone already lined up to replace Mo Salah."As I stand here looking at my signed Diogo Jota shirt, we now know with clarity the inevitable nature of life."I think Liverpool, more so than anyone currently, will be looking at that Diogo situation and saying, we have to have it."And that would just be, from a human level, logical, and from a business level, even more logical to have some kind of risk management with regards to replacing players."