Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard agrees the club have to sign a ‘box office’ winger like Michael Olise to interchange Mohamed Salah this summer.
Salah has confirmed he’ll leave Anfield at the top of the season to bring the curtains down on a unprecedented nine-year profession on Merseyside.
The Egypt international’s influence has waned this season with the club now facing an enormous task in replacing the person who’s their third all-time top goalscorer.
Reports from France this week have claimed Bayern Munich star Olise has emerged as Liverpool’s early goal with Arsenal and Chelsea also huge admirers of the previous Crystal Palace winger.
Olise has grown into considered one of Europe’s best widemen since leaving south London in the summertime of 2024, a part of a fearsome front three in Munich alongside Harry Kane and Luis Diaz – the latter sold by Liverpool last summer.
Bayern don’t have any intention of letting the France international leave but former Manchester United star Owen Hargreaves has urged Liverpool to check the water.
‘For those who’re Liverpool you have got to go for somebody ready, tried and tested. And for me that may be Olise. Someone of that calibre,’ Hargreaves told TNT Sport.
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With Gerrard asking if Bayern would sell, Hargreaves added: ‘For those who don’t ask you don’t get. But when you’re talking Olise on the precise hand side, that’s box office. If you have got [PSG star Bradley] Barcola then on the left, guys who can get past anybody.’
Having suggested Olise would indeed fit the bill, Gerrard said: ‘I’d be very surprised in the event that they don’t be someone who’s box office. Otherwise you’re not replacing them.
‘They must be top end, top three of 4 on the earth to interchange Mo Salah. Because that’s where he has been.’
Jarrod Bowen has been one other name suggested as a possible alternative for Salah although Gerrard isn’t convinced the West Ham United captain is of the required standard.
The previous England star has nevertheless been impressed along with his Hammers teammate Crysencio Summerville, who has predominantly played off the left this season.
‘I’d take Summerville,’ Gerrard said. ‘I believe he has got something different, for a team that has been struggling he has been a shining light and got higher because the season has gone on.
‘I actually like Bowen but I don’t think he’s Salah’s level to interchange him but I believe Liverpool will search for more one-on-one merchants.’
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