Life after Salah - why Isak and Wirtz must step up for Liverpool
Liverpool are preparing to begin a season without Mohamed Salah for the first time in a decade - but they haven't replaced him yet. This is why.
As Mohamed Salah departs Liverpool for Trabzonspor, the team faces a significant challenge in replicating the goalscoring prowess of the Egypt superstar. The trio of Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino scored a combined 488 goals between 2015 and 2026, with Salah himself netting 10 of those on the opening matchday - a record.
With Salah absent, Cody Gakpo is the current top scorer for Liverpool, with just 50 goals. Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitike were signed for a combined £320 million last summer, with the expectation that they would step up without Salah. However, Isak, who only scored four goals in his debut campaign at Anfield, and Wirtz, who had a disappointing debut, will need to prove their worth.
The club has yet to make a new statement signing, but they are exploring options such as Paris St-Germain's Bradley Barcola, who is open to a move from the French club. Meanwhile, Ekitike's injury means another attacker is needed, and Liverpool are growing confident that a deal for PSG's Bradley Barcola could be struck. Captain Virgil van Dijk emphasized the need for a squad that can compete on all fronts, and both Isak and Wirtz are expected to take on more responsibility.
Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler believes that Isak, who once called Anfield home, will be a handful for opponents and provide the goals and excitement the club needs.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Sport's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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