The hope was always there, wasn't it? That somehow Mo Salah might reconsider his Liverpool departure now that the man he reportedly clashed with has gone. But according to someone who knows the Egyptian well, those dreams are dead in the water.

Dejan Lovren has poured cold water on any lingering optimism about Salah's potential return to Anfield. The former Liverpool defender, speaking to WinWin, was brutally clear about where things stand with our departed talisman.

"No, it's over," Lovren stated. "Mo has a big personality too. I don't know, if they hadn't announced all of that, all the details of leaving, saying thank you and goodbye and saying goodbye, maybe yes, but now it's difficult."

The timing, as Lovren sees it, was everything. Had Salah known Arne Slot would be departing earlier, the Croatian believes our nine-year hero would never have left in the first place.

"Yes, he would have stayed 100 per cent. Believe me, he would have stayed 100 per cent, I know that. But the timing was bad," Lovren explained. His assessment cuts deep because it rings true. The relationship between Salah and Slot was reportedly strained, with the forward launching two public tirades during the latter half of last campaign.

Lovren didn't hold back on what Liverpool have lost either. "Only a fool would say we no longer need him. Only a fool would say that. I mean, to say you don't need Mohamed Salah at Liverpool, when he can still perform at the highest level for another two or three years, then we have a problem understanding football."

It's hard to argue with that logic. Salah's departure has left Andoni Iraola with the unenviable task of replacing the irreplaceable as he begins his tenure as head coach. The Basque manager is keen to stamp his authority and playing philosophy on his new squad, but doing so without a player who served as our talisman for nine years presents obvious challenges.

Whilst Salah's chapter appears definitively closed, another former Red is reportedly eyeing a return to Merseyside. Darwin Nunez, who moved to Al-Hilal for £46.3million in the summer of 2025, is said to be struggling in Saudi Arabia and would welcome a comeback.

Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo claims the Uruguayan striker would be keen on rejoining Liverpool after a difficult spell in the Middle East. Nunez was reportedly dropped from the Al-Hilal squad in February following the signing of Karim Benzema, highlighting just how far his stock has fallen since leaving Anfield.

The 26-year-old's time at Liverpool was always complicated. Arriving from Benfica for an initial £64m fee during the 2022 summer transfer window, he managed 40 goals in 143 outings for the Reds. However, he only started eight Premier League matches during our title-winning campaign, suggesting he never quite convinced in the biggest moments.

Upon his departure, Nunez had spoken fondly of his time on Merseyside. "Liverpool will always be part of who I am. I'll miss you more than words can say. To all the staff and my teammates - thank you and all the very best for the future," he said.

But Liverpool aren't the only club reportedly interested in the striker's services. The appointment of Xabi Alonso at Chelsea has apparently encouraged the Blues to register their interest, whilst Barcelona and Newcastle United are also cited as potential suitors.

The question is whether Iraola would want to reunite with a player who never quite fulfilled his potential during his first spell at the club. Nunez certainly has the talent, but his inconsistency was often maddening. Whether he's learned from his Saudi struggles and could offer more second time around remains to be seen.

What's clear is that this summer of transition continues to throw up unexpected developments, with the ghost of decisions past continuing to haunt the present.