The £86m superstar who could become Liverpool's dream Mohamed Salah successor - opinion
With a busy summer over, plans at Liverpool will now change to preparing for the future
It has been quite the summer at Anfield. Six big-money signings made, two British transfer records smashed and the perfect beginning to a high-stakes title defence have meant Liverpool have never been far from the headlines.
With Alexander Isak secured on deadline day and the likes of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike adapting to life in the Premier League, Arne Slot’s champions had a near-flawless summer. Crystal Palace’s refusal to let Marc Guehi leave aside.
Focus will now shift to matters on the pitch, with the Reds sitting top of the Premier League after three successive victories and a big Champions League campaign to come underway later this month.
But in the back of the minds of Slot and his staff will be which positions need strengthening next - after all, there are so very few upgrades which can be made in the present. For any era-defining side ready to create a dynasty, it is equally important to plan for the future.
Liverpool could already know their dream Mohamed Salah successor
The day Liverpool replace Mohamed Salah is one which they have dreaded for years. The Egyptian King was recently named PFA Player of the Year for a record third time and registered an astounding 47 goal contributions in the Premier League last term. But the truth is that he is now 33 and potentially on his last contract for the club. The sooner the Reds start preparing for the future, the better.
According to reports by Mail Sport relayed by Caught Offside, Liverpool have lined up Bayern Munich wizard Michael Olise as a potential successor to Salah and may target the 23-year-old as soon as next summer.
Reports state that Olise is “right at the top” of Liverpool’s shopping list according to Liverpool Confidential for Mail Sport, as the former Crystal Palace ace has hit new levels since signing for Bayern last summer. Registering 20 goals and 23 assists in all competitions last season, it is easy to see why the champions are taking notice.
Transfermarkt value Olise at €100million (£86m) and the reality is that the German champions will demand that, if not more, for one of their prize assets - particularly if he continues to elevate his game this season. It may ultimately cost another £100m-plus outlay if the Reds are to secure a mammoth deal for Olise.
Olise could be the greatest Salah replacement on the market
While a move may seem far away at present, Liverpool fans would be right to be excited about a prospective move for Olise in the summer of 2026 or 2027. It is frightening to think about how much better he may already be by then.
Olise not only scores and assists a hatful of goals, he thrives on clutch moments. He owns the responsibility of making key contributions at key times and has appeared fazed by nothing in his young career so far. Often the face of memes on social media during his time at Palace due to his perceived nonchalant persona and one-liners in interviews, Olise’s move to Bayern has proven that he is far more than that. He does his talking on the pitch.
The reality is that when Salah does regretfully decide to wave goodbye to Anfield, he cannot be replaced by a project. His influence and sheer output must be replaced, or else Liverpool will feel the full force of it.
Olise is the closest thing to the finished article which could be available on the market in the coming transfer windows. His goalscoring numbers may not match those of Salah as of yet, with the possibility that he may never reach those heights. But the prospect of the France international lining up alongside Isak and Wirtz will at least allow Liverpool fans to believe that there will be life after Salah.