Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane or Roberto Firmino - who could be the first to leave Liverpool?

They’ve been the terrifying trio at the sharp end of Jurgen Klopp’s success at Liverpool.

As attacking triumvirates go, there haven’t been many who can rival Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mo Salah in recent seasons - in both the Premier League and Europe.

They’ve been fundamental to the Reds capturing the Champions League, reaching another European Cup final and ending the club’s 30-year wait for a top-flight title.

Collectively, Firmino, Mane and Salah have netted 309 goals for the Anfield club - with a staggering 272 of those efforts coming while all three have shared a dressing room.

Akin to Red Arrows when at their dazzling best, their prowess can match any forward line in world football.

However, all things eventually have to come to an end….

FSG’s transfer stance

At some stage, one of the three will head for the exit door and bring the curtain down on an exhilarating period.

It certainly won’t be this season, but it could be sooner, rather than later.

With all of them aged 29 and into the final two years of their respective deals, it’s folly to believe each will be handed lucrative new long-term contracts.

Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool’s owners, simply don’t allow too many players to grow old together. They’re wary of the perils of ageing squads and the long-term impact it can have.

Thirty-year-old Gini Wijnaldum was allowed to leave on a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season despite playing an incredible 51 matches for the Reds that term - the joint most in the squad.

While the future of 31-year-old captain Jordan Henderson is also precarious. The contract of Liverpool’s Champions League and Premier League trophy-lifting skipper is due to expire in 2023 and talks are reportedly at a standstill.

But of Firmino, Mane and Salah, who might be the first to go? We take a look at each of their situations.

Roberto Firmino

Arriving from German side Hoffenheim for a fee of around £29 million in 2015, the Brazilian has been at Liverpool the longest of the trio.

Deployed in various positions under ex-manager Brendan Rogers, it was after Klopp took the helm when Kopites started to see the best of Firmino.

He was given instructions to operate as a striker and took up the role as a false number nine expertly.

His intelligent movement, selfless play and high-octane pressing made the Reds tick as they claimed the Champions League and Premier League in successive seasons.

In total, Firmino has scored 87 goals in 292 games for Liverpool.

Why might he be first to leave?

As Liverpool’s title defence faltered last term, Firmino’s contributions were scrutinised somewhat more than others.

In total, he managed just nine goals in 48 games in all competitions. A tally too scant for someone leading the line, some have understandably argued.

What’s more, there’s no guarantee Firmino will be a regular starter any longer following the emergence of Diogo Jota.

The Portuguese’s maiden campaign at Anfield after joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer was hampered by injuries.

When fit, though, Jota more than proved his quality. In 30 appearances, he plundered 13 goals, leaving Kopites purring and wanting more.

Aged 24, the former Porto forward’s best years are still ahead of him, while Firmino’s edging towards his Liverpool best before date.

Should he be reduced to a bit-part role in the upcoming season, it could lead to him weighing up his future on Merseyside.

Sadio Mane

Of the bevy of Klopp’s impressive purchases for Liverpool, the Senegalese ranks near the top.

Sadio Mane’s £34m arrival from Southampton in the summer of 2016 proved a sage bit of business.

During his Anfield career, he’s scored 97 times in 218 games - an impressive total considering he’s profusely played in a left-wing role.

His electric pace and underrated aerial ability have tormented defences throughout Europe.

Why might he be first to leave?

Mane was among the players who were below par as Liverpool meekly handed the Premier League title back to Manchester City in 2020-21.

By his own admission, the ex-RB Salzburg wide man endured the worst season of his career. Despite bagging 16 goals in 48 outings, he knew it wasn’t up to scratch.

As a consequence, Mane’s value has dropped significantly, according to Transfermrkt.

At its zenith in December 2019, he was supposedly worth £135m. In March this year, Mane’s estimated price tag fell to £90m before plummeting further to £76.5m when calculations were again made on June 8.

If Mane suffers another underwhelming year, there’s every chance he could be offloaded next summer when he has just 12 months on his deal.

Mo Salah

He’s been Liverpool’s talisman since arriving from Roma in the summer of 2017.

Having plundered 125 goals in just 203 appearances for the Reds, there’d be no sixth European Cup or maiden Premier League adorning the trophy cabinet without Salah.

Nor would Liverpool be gearing up for another campaign in the Champions League.

Even amid a lacklustre campaign for the club last term, the Egyptian proved the bright spark. Netting 31 times in all competitions, Salah was one of the few players who came out of the season with any credit.

Why might he be first to leave?

As per The Athletic, Salah is Liverpool’s priority of the triumvirate when it comes to a new deal. It’s scarcely a surprise.

But being one of the very best in world football, the former Chelsea man wouldn’t be short of suitors if negotiations did hit the buffers.

Speaking to Spanish media in December, Salah hinted about playing elsewhere in the future.

He’s previously been linked with Real Madrid, while reports earlier this summer suggested he could be a replacement for Kylian Mbappe at Paris Saint-Germain should the Frenchman leave for the Santiago Bernabeu.

If Liverpool were to fail to capture another trophy for a second straight year, Salah may feel he requires a fresh challenge.

If that was the case, the Reds could look to reluctantly cash in on the cultured left-footer rather than risk him leaving for nothing the following year.