News of Mohamed Salah departing this summer on a free transfer has sent shockwaves through the fanbase.

But are Liverpool in a position to handle the financial fallout?

Former player and Sky pundit Jamie O’Hara said: ”I don’t see how it benefits Liverpool, you’ve lost £40 million!”

The facts

The biggest headline isn’t the lack of transfer fee. It’s the contract amendment.

Salah has reportedly reached an agreement with Liverpool to waive the final year of his contract, worth £20m in wages.

  • Salary savings:  by offloading his £400,000 a week, Liverpool free up £20m in annual payroll.
  • The replacement fund: internal projections suggest these wage savings alone would provide the headroom to target a high-calibre successor without breaching the Premier Leagues Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Summer 2025

Critics often point to ”net spend” as a sign of weakness

But Liverpool’s strategy last summer proved they can refresh the squad while staying in the black.

By recouping massive fees for established stars, and balancing them against high-potential arrivals, Liverpool have already prepared for a post-salah era.

The club recently reported a £703m profit for the 24/25 season, which has increased by a total £89m this financial year, with £8m profit after tax.

Why leaving for free doesn’t ”hurt”

  • Transfer fee: Salah’s original fee £35m fee from 2017 was ”written down” to zero on the books years ago.
  • Any fee would have been pure profit, but his departure doesn’t create a ”loss” in accounting terms.
  • Commercial continuity: With the new Adidas kit deal (valued at £600m+ over 10 years) starting recently, the club’s commercial revenue is high enough to offset the loss of Salah’s individual brand power.
  • Squad age profile: Moving Salah on now allows Arne Slot to fully commit to a younger, high-pressing front line without the tactical or financial weight of a 33-year-old on record wages.

The Bottom line

Liverpool are not losing £50m. They are gaining flexibility.

By breaking even during a massive rebuild last summer and clearing the league’s highest individual wage from the books now, FSG has ensured the ”post-Salah” era starts with a clean slate.

The next question is – who will take over the iconic number 11 shirt – and how much will they cost the club?

(Featured image under agreed Alamy licence)

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