Andoni Iraola now has his 'Mohamed Salah replacement' after Liverpool drama

Andoni Iraola has turned to three Liverpool stars to replace Mohamed Salah this season, sources have told Football Insider.

The 34-year-old left Anfield on a free transfer at the end of last season, and later joined Turkish outfit Trabzonspor, where he has now scored four goals in four appearances.

His absence left a gaping hole on the right-hand side of Andoni Iraola's front three which Liverpool were determiend to address during the summer transfer window.

However, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Iraola will utilise Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and Bradley Barcola in Salah's position.

After missing out on top targets including Ismaila Sarr and Yankuba Minteh, having seen offers rejected for both players, the boss has been forced to improvise.

How does Andoni Iraola plan to replace Mohamed Salah?

Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider earlier this year that Ngumoha was being lined up as a long-term replacement for Salah despite the club's transfer plans.

After missing out on their top targets on the right wing, Liverpool are now prepared to rotate their current options, despite the majority preferring to play on the opposite flank.

Gakpo has also thrived on the right-hand side this season, while Barcola and Victor Munoz have also started games there, with Iraola planning to keep his current rotation.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "Obviously, Liverpool haven't brought in a recognised right winger to replace Mohamed Salah as they planned.

"They're using Bradley Barcola, who played there the other night against Atletico Madrid on the right side to fill in at the moment.

"Cody Gakpo’s played there as well in the early stages of this season, Rio Ngumoha too who has also been tipped to replace Salah, but prefers to play on the left.

"So it looks like Andoni Iraola is planning to move things around in that right-wing position after they failed to get the targets they wanted."

Will Liverpool sign a direct replacement for Salah?

Signing a replacement for Salah was seen as Liverpool's top target during the summer transfer window, but as the window reached it's latter stages, it became a difficult task.

Barcola arrived at Anfield on deadline day, and will play a role in replacing the Egypt international, but is not seen as a natural right-winger.

Instead, Football Insider revealed that Liverpool were making late moves to sign Crystal Palace's Sarr and Brighton's Minteh, as previously mentioned, before the deadline.

After missing out on both players, their attentions have now turned towards the January transfer window, when the Reds aim to revisit their failed transfer plans.

While Iraola is planning to utilise his current options until the next window opens, finding a long-term replacement for Salah is still viewed as an important task for Liverpool.