Steven Gerrard has chimed in on the Mo Salah replacement discussion with a clear bar for recruitment.
As one Liverpool legend announces his departure, another looks ahead to the future of the position.
Gerrard was joined by Owen Hargreaves on TNT Sports to break down the news of Salah’s imminent exit, and to answer the burning question. How to replace him?
For Gerrard, it’s simple. Nothing but one of the world’s best will do.
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Steven Gerrard and Owen Hargreaves advise Liverpool on replacing Salah
Two former Liverpool players are the perfect pundits to address this situation. They understand the club, the expectation to compete at the very highest level.
That requires star power, and Liverpool’s brightest shining star of the last decade is on his way out the door.
Hargreaves begins with the obvious suggestion. In the interview preview posted to TikTok, he says: “You’ve got to go tried and tested. And for me, that would be Olise, somebody of that calibre.”
When his former teammate asks if that is realistic, he responds: ““Probably not, but the thing is, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. And I wouldn’t wanna see him leave Bayern because that front three is amazing. But if you’re talking Olise on that right-hand side for Liverpool, that’s box office.”
Gerrard goes next, not actually providing any names, but making it very clear that the pool of options is as shallow as it gets.
As he puts it: “You’d have to buy somebody that’s box office. Otherwise, you’re not replacing him. They have to be top-end, top three, four wingers in the world to replace Mo Salah, because that’s what Mo’s been.”
There might not be a player in Europe who will be able to replicate the Egyptian’s greatness, but Gerrard thinks Liverpool need to try by going for someone at the very top of the sport.
Which players should Liverpool target to replace Mohamed Salah this summer? 🤔
A seven-man shortlist has already been reported:
- Desire Doue
- Bradley Barcola
- Nico Williams
- Yan Diomande
- Anthony Gordon
- Jarrod Bowen
- Michael Olise
Who Gerrard could be talking about
Olise is obviously one of, if not the best winger on form this season, but who else fits that bill?
Well, Lamine Yamal does, but we can chalk that one off straight away. Then you’re looking at the likes of Kvicha Kvaratshkelia, Raphinha, Ousmane Dembele, Vinicius Junior.
None of them feel realistic. You have to get well out of the top five before getting to realistic territory.
Really, we have to bank on all the Olise to Liverpool talk not being absolute waffle. Otherwise, it’s virtually impossible to meet Gerrard’s demands.
- READ MORE: Andy Robertson makes big claim about Mo Salah as they prepare to leave Liverpool together
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